HISTORICAL 


SKETCHES  OF 


ce  Family. 


R ,  M.  LAWRENCE. 


1 


Z' 


DUKE 

UNIVERSITY 


LIBRARY 


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SHOWING  THE  OLDER  PART  OF  THE  HOUSE,  BUILT  ABOUT  THE  YEAR  1796. 


HISTORICAL  SKETCHES 


OF  SOME  MEMBERS  OF 


THE  LAWRENCE  FAMILY. 


WITH  AN  APPENDIX . 


ROBERT  M.  LAWRENCE,  M.D. 


BOSTON  : 

RAND  AVERY  COMPANY,  PRINTERS. 
1888. 


A  good  name  is  better  than  precious  ointment.” 

Eccles.  vii.  i. 


/  leave  my  character  behind  me.” 


R.  B.  Sheridan. 


93.9.^ 
L  H  a.  i  U 


to  ®»8  'Wife, 

KATHARINE  LAWRENCE  (CLEAVELAND)  LAWRENCE, 

ttyeee  ^ftctcftee 


ARE  AFFECTIONATELY  INSCRIBED. 


PREFACE. 


Several  years  ago  the  writer  obtained  possession  of 
a  package  of  old  deeds  and  other  original  documents 
relating  to  descendants  of  John  Lawrence  of  Wisset, 
Eng.,  who  were  among  the  early  settlers  in  Middlesex 
County,  Mass.  The  interest  awakened  by  an  exami¬ 
nation  of  these  papers  led  to  a  study  of  the  family 
history,  and  especially  that  of  the  first  five  generations 
in  America ;  and  in  this  little  volume  are  given  the 
results  of  these  researches.  Absolute  accuracy  in  a 
work  of  this  kind  is  hardly  to  be  attained.  The 
incompleteness  of  many  town  and  church  records,  the 
frequent  changes  of  residence  of  individuals,  and 
the  confusion  arising  from  a  repetition  of  certain 
Christian  names,  —  these  are  among  the  hinderances 
well-known  to  the  student  of  family  history.  The 
writer  will,  therefore,  be  glad  to  be  informed  of  any 
errors  or  omissions  which  may  be  discovered. 

It  is  fitting  that  due  acknowledgment  should  be 
made  to  the  Hon.  Samuel  A.  Green,  M.D.,  from  whose 
many  valuable  publications  concerning  Groton  material 
has  been  freely  drawn  ;  to  Francis  M.  Boutwell,  Esq., 
for  assistance  in  locating  some  of  the  old  homesteads  ; 
to  George  D.  Brigham,  Esq.,  town  clerk  of  Groton  ;  to 
Samuel  A.  Eddy,  Esq.,  of  Canaan,  Conn. ;  and  to  Mrs. 


6 


PREFACE. 


Martha  Gray  of  Roxbury  District,  Boston.  For 
information  on  various  points,  the  writer  is  indebted  to 
many  different  members  of  the  family.  The  excellent 
genealogy  prepared  by  the  Rev.  John  Lawrence  has 
been  of  much  assistance. 


Lexington,  Mass.,  June  23,  iSSS. 


R.  M.  L. 


ILLUSTRATIONS. 


The  Lawrence  Homestead,  Groton,  Mass,  (showing 

THE  OLDER  PART  OF  THE  HOUSE) . 

Ensign  Nathaniel  Lawrence’s  Commission  .  .  . 

Old  Lawrence  House  in  Littleton . 

Old  Lawrence  Homestead  in  Lexington  .... 

Dr.  and  Mrs.  Joseph  Adams . 

Dr.  Abel  Lawrence . 

The  Lawrence  Homestead  in  Groton  (photographed 
by  Mrs.  James  Lawrence) . 


Frontispiece. 
Opp.  page  13 

“  “  29 

“  “  65 

“  “  75 

“  “  77 


108 


HISTORICAL  SKETCHES  OF  THE 
LAWRENCE  FAMILY. 


JOHN  LAWRENCE, 

A  native  ofWisset,  Suffolk  County,  Eng.,  the  ancestor 
of  many  New-England  families  of  the  name,  was 
baptized  Oct.  8,  1609,  and  emigrated  to  this  country 
about  the  year  1630.  It  is  probable  that  he  was 
one  of  the  large  party  under  Gov.  Winthrop,  which 
sailed  from  England  in  that  year.1  His  father,  whose 
name  was  Henry,  also  came  to  this  country,  and 
settled  in  Charlestown  about  1635  ;2  and  in  the  same 
year,  or  earlier,  John  Lawrence  became  a  resident  of 
Watertown.  He  was  probably  married  at  about  this 
time,  but  the  precise  date  and  place  cannot  be  given. 
His  wife’s  name  was  Elizabeth  ;  and  they  had  thirteen 
children,  of  whom  the  greater  number  were  born  in 
Watertown.  At  about  the  age  of  twenty-eight,  he 
was  admitted  a  freeman.  In  the  oldest  volume  of  the 
Massachusetts  Records  is  the  following :  “  Made  free 
the  17th:  2nd  month  A.D.  1637  John  Lawrence” 
and  others.  His  trade  was  that  of  a  carpenter.  Prob¬ 
ably  his  first  purchase  of  land  in  Watertown  was  a 
lot  on  the  east  side  of  Fresh  Pond.  He  also  bought 
thirty-five  acres  of  Isaac  Cummins,  which  the  latter 
had  received  in  the  earliest  general  land-grants  in 
1636,  called  the  “Great  Dividends.”  He  owned, 
moreover,  fifteen  acres  of  land  at  “  Pequusset  Common,” 

1  Butler’s  History  of  Groton,  p.  273. 

2  Frothingham’s  History  of  Charlestown,  p.  84. 


8 


HISTORICAL  SKETCHES 


afterwards  called  “  King’s  Common,”  in  the  northerly 
part  of  the  township.  On  Feb.  28,  1636-7,  he  received  a 
grant  of  three  acres  of  plough-land  on  the  west  side  of 
Beaver  Brook,  within  the  present  borders  of  Waltham. 
From  the  Watertown  lists  of  possessions  in  1642,  it 
appears  that  he  then  owned  more  than  one  hundred 
and  fifty  acres.  His  homestead  was  “  bounded  pn  the 
east  by  the  highway  ;  north  by  Timothy  Hawkins  and 
John  Hammond;  west  by  the  meadow  of  John  Biscoe ; 
south  by  land  of  John  Flemming,  deceased  ;  wid.  Dix, 
and  her  sonne;  wid.  Bartlett,  and  said  Biscoe.”1  From 
a  comparison  of  ancient  plans  with  modern  maps,  it 
appears  that  this  estate  was  situated  in  the  present 
town  of  Belmont,  on  the  west  side  of  Common  Street, 
one-fifth  of  a  mile  from  its  junction  with  Belmont 
Street,  and  a  little  north  of  the  residence  of  Mr.  John 
C.  Palfrey.  At  a  County  Court,  whose  session  was 
begun  at  Cambridge,  April  1,  1662,  John  Lawrence 
was  a  member  of  the  grand  jury;  and  the  records 
show  that  he  was  “  absent  in  [the]  October  Court.”  2 
On  Oct.  23  of  that  year,  he  sold  several  pieces  of 
real  estate ;  and  on  the  same  day“Jn°.  Lawrance  of 
Water-Towne,  Senr.  &  Carpentr.”  conveyed  to  John 
Biscoe  his  homestead  above  mentioned,  consisting 
of  a  dwelling-house,  barns,  and  other  buildings,  and 
thirteen  acres  of  land,  including  gardens,  orchards, 
pastures,  meadows,  and  plough-land,  “being  the  now 
mansion-place  of  mee  the  said  Jn°.  Lawrance.” 3  In 
the  late  autumn  of  1662,  as  nearly  as  can  be  ascer¬ 
tained,  he  removed  his  residence  to  Groton,  where  his 
name  appears  on  the  records  in  the  following  Decem- 

1  Bond’s  History  of  Watertown.  2  Middlesex  County  Court  records. 

3  Middlesex  Registry  of  Deeds,  fol.  2,  p.  166. 


OF  THE  LAWRENCE  FAMILY. 


9 


ber.  His  homestead  in  this  town  was  situated  south¬ 
west  of  Gibbet  Hill,  a  short  distance  east  of  the  First 
Parish  Meeting-house,  and  near  where  Love  Lane 
joins  the  present  road  to  Lowell.  This  farm  has  been 
for  many  years  the  property  and  residence  of  Joseph 
F.  Hall. 

As  one  of  the  early  settlers  of  Groton,  John  Law¬ 
rence  was  an  original  land-proprietor,  and  owner  of  a 
twenty-acre  right.  He  was  twice  chosen  selectman, 
served  also  one  year  as  a  surveyor  of  highways,  and 
was  a  useful  and  honored  citizen.  In  the  year  1664 
he  became  involved  in  a  dispute  with  the  town  in 
regard  to  the  ownership  of  some  land,  and  the  matter 
was  finally  decided  as  follows  :  — 

“At  a  town  metting  vpon  The  21  of  the  7  moth  1665.  .  . 
It  was  this  day  granted  and  by  voate  declared  y1  John  lawranc 
sen1,  shall  quiatly  posese  and  Inioye  a  parselle  of  land  now 
in  controuersey  and  allredey  within  his  ffenc  and  a  Joyning 
to  his  house  lotte  contining  too  acors  mor  or  lesse  bounded 
west  and  south  by  the  hye  way  and  north  and  east  by  his  own 
land  &  granted  to  him  as  a  grantiuety.” 

In  the  Middlesex  County  Court  records  appears  the 
following  quaint  petition  1  which  probably  refers  to  his 
son  Peleg  :  — 

Groton-  22-7-  1665. 

To  the  Honred  the  County  Cort  at  Cambridge, 

Octob.  3.  65. 

The  humble  request  of  Jn5  Lawrence  of  Groton,  That  I 
having  a  son  being  now  neere  upon  age  &  being  called  upon 

1  It  appears  that  this  petition  had  been  previously  sent  to  the  General  Court, 
and  the  latter  had  acted  in  the  matter  as  follows  :  “  In  ansr  to  the  petition  of 
John  Lawrence,  the  Court  judgeth  it  meete  to  order  the  petitioner  to  apply 
himself  to  the  County  Court  of  Boston,  who  are  hereby  empowered  to  act 
therein  as  they  shall  see  cause.”  ( Records  of  Mass.,  vol.  iv.) 


IO 


HISTORICAL  SKETCHES 


to  attend  service  in  training,  I  wld  crave  libertye  to  request 
that  hee  may  be  considered  and  if  your  YVorsPPs  see  cause 
freed  from  training :  his  Infirmitye  is  a  losse  of  more  than 
two  joynts  on  his  left  Thumb  which  is  his  hand  he  is  most 
active  with  &  [he]  is  much  disnabled  fr5  doing  any  activity 
by  it :  I  am  not  unwilling  in  my  spheare  to  bee  beneficial  to 
ye  publig  service,  yet  I  psume  this  may  be  a  disoblig[em]ent 
upon  this  acc4 :  The  case  of  ye  Lad  or  chiefe  officer  is  able  to 
informe  you  of  further  Sr  yrfore  not  any  farther  to  trouble 
yor  Ron's  depending  upon  yr  equabl  determination 
I  leave  my  selfe  with  you  Sr  Rest 
Yors  Humbly  engaged 
Jno’  Lawrence. 

What  is  Aboue  Expressed  by  Jno.  Larance  is  the  treuth 
witnes  my  hand  James  Parker. 

His  wife  Elizabeth  died  at  Groton  Aug.  29,  1663  ; 
and  he  married  Nov.  2,  1664,  at  Charlestown, 

Susanna,  daughter  of  William  Batchelder,  by  whom  he 
had  two  daughters.  His  death  occurred  at  Groton, 
July  11,  1667;  and  his  widow  died  July  8,  1668,  at 
Charlestown. 


JOHN  LAWRENCE,  Junior 

(1636-1672),  the  oldest  child  of  John  of  Wisset,  Eng., 
was  born  in  Watertown,  and  appears  to  have  lived  in 
Groton  for  a  short  time,  but  soon  became  a  resident  of 
Charlestown.  In  the  Groton  records  his  name  appears 
but  once,  as  follows  :  “  [Novem.]  30  (63)  John  Mosse 
of  Ipswitch  is  accepted  by  the  Towne  to  pay  the 
alotment  of  John  Lawranc  Junir.”  As  late  as  Oct. 
10,  1665,  the  father’s  name  has  the  affix  “sen.,”  and 
the  inference  is,  therefore,  that  the  son  did  not  leave 


OF  THE  LAWRENCE  FAMILY.  II 

Groton  till  after  that  date.  The  latter  was  twice 
married. 

The  “Inventory  of  the  Estatte  of  Jn°  Larance,” 
taken  in  1672,  contains  these  items:  “  house  and  land 
with  wharffe  £90. ;  a  shallop,  Roads,  Anchors  & 
sayls  &  3  Compass  &  w[i]th  oth[e]r  nescesary  things 
In  the  boat  for  its  use,  £^o.  Lumb[e]r,  nott  seen  & 
fforgott  £ 2 .”  The  appraisers  were  John  Penticose 
and  John  Burrage,  both  of  Charlestown.  The  former 
was  a  rope-maker,  and  held  the  office  of  constable  in 
1657.  The  latter  was  “clerk  of  the  market”  in  1658, 
and  “  ferryman  ”  two  years  after. 

ENSIGN  NATHANIEL  LAWRENCE, 

The  second  son  of  John,  sen.,  was  born  at  Watertown, 
Oct.  15,  1639,  and  married  at  Sudbury,  March  13, 
1661,  Sarah  Morse  of  Dedham.  They  lived  in 
Sudbury  for  some  three  years,1  and  then  removed  to 
Groton,  where  seven  of  their  nine  children  were  born. 
Nathaniel  Lawrence  resided  for  some  twenty  years 
on  his  father’s  homestead,  at  the  south-west  base  of 
Gibbet  hill.  In  1683  or  earlier  he  bought  a  farm  on 
the  “  Mill-Highway,”  so  called,  now  the  road  to  Ayer, 
about  three-quarters  of  a  mile  south  of  the  centre  of 
the  town  and  near  the  “  Indian  Hills,”  and  there  made 
his  home.  This  estate  is  now  the  residence  of  William 
Peabody.  He  was  one  of  the  original  land-proprietors 
of  Groton,  his  proportion  being  a  ten-acre  right ;  and 
he  owned,  besides,  many  parcels  of  land  in  different 
sections  of  the  town,  and  later  in  Charlestown.  He 


1  The  family  name  does  not  appear  in  the  Sudbury  records  previous  to  172S. 


12 


HISTORICAL  SKETCHES 


was  admitted  a  freeman  May  15,  1672.  It  appears 
that  he  followed  his  father’s  trade ;  for  we  find  in 
the  Groton  records,  that,  at  a  town-meeting  in  1666, 

“  Nathaniell  Lawrenc  and  Samuell  Woods  [were]  now 
agreed  with  to  lay  the  planks  upon  the  meeting  [house] 
and  to  do  them  sufficiently,  and  they  are  to  haue  4  s 
6  :  d  p  000  alowed  them  at  the  meeting  rate.”  He  was 
evidently  an  influential  citizen,  and  possessed  of  ample 
means  for  those  times.  He  was  frequently  elected  to 
town  office,  and  served  four  years  as  selectman,  and  at 
different  times  was  chosen  highway-surveyor,  constable, 
and  tithing-man.  He  likewise  occupied  various  minor 
offices,  of  more  or  less  dignity  and  importance,  as  fence- 
viewer,  and  overseer  of  swine,  and  was  at  one  time 
a  “  commissioner  to  try  small  cases  according  to  law.” 

In  1681  he  was  a  member  of  a  committee  to  give 
instructions  to  the  selectmen ;  and  the  latter  were 
thereupon  charged  by  the  committee,  among  other 
things,  “too  tack  car  that  there  be  a  [sjcooll  or  colleg 
of  laming  of  children  the  inglish  tung  too  Red.”  Two 
years  later,  he  received  four  shillings  from  the  town 
for  a  day’s  service  in  renewing  the  Chelmsford  line. 
At  a  town-meeting  held  the  twenty-fifth  day  of  the 
fourth  month,  1683,  “  it  was  agred  upon  and  uotyd 
that  the  Toown  wold  chos  a  comity  for  tooee  pllas 
[to  place]  the  metin  house  ;  ”  and  “  insin  Larance  ”  was 
one  of  the  men  so  chosen.  He  was  also  one  of  an 
important  committee  of  three,  selected  on  Christmas 
Day  of  the  same  year,  to  prove  the  right  and  title  of 
the  proprietors  of  Groton  to  their  township. 

Nathaniel  Lawrence  was  appointed  ensign  of  the 
military  company  of  Groton,  by  authority  of  the 


ENSIGN  NATHANIEL  LAWRENCE’S  COMMISSION,  1680. 


OF  THE  LAWRENCE  FAMILY. 


13 


General  Court,  Oct.  15,  1673.  Nearly  seven  years 
later  a  commission  as  ensign  of  the  same  company 
was  issued  to  him.  The  original  document,  bearing 
the  autograph  signature  of  Gov.  Bradstreet,  is  in  the 
writer’s  possession.  It  reads  as  follows  :  — 

The  Governor  &  Company  of  the  Massachusetts  Bay  in  New 
England. 

To  Nathaniel  Lawrence  Ensigne  under  the  conduct  of 
James  Parker,  Captaine.  Whereas  you  are  appointed 
Ensigne  of  a  foote  Company  for  his  Maj4ye.s  service  in  the 
Towneof  Groaten  in  the  County  of  Midlesex  in  the  Colony  of 
the  Massachusetts  Bay,  these  are  in  his  Maj ‘yes  name  to  autyo- 
rize  and  require  you  to  take  into  your  Care  and  Conduct  the 
sayd  Company  and  diligently  to  Intend  that  service  by  lead¬ 
ing  and  exercising  your  Inferior  officers  &  souldjers  in  peace 
and  warr.  Comanding  them  to  obey  you  as  there  Ensigne 
and  you  to  observe  &  obey  all  such  orders  &  direchons  as 
you  shall  receive  from  yr  Captn  or  other  superior  officer.  In 
testimony  whereof  the  seale  of  this  Colony  is  heereunto 
affixed.  Dated  in  Boston  from  the  19th  of  May,  1680. 

By  the  Court,  Edward  Rawson  secret. 
(seal)  Simon  Bradstreet  Gounr. 

Nathaniel  Lawrence  was  chosen  a  deacon  in  the 
church  about  the  year  1685  ;  and  thenceforth  this 
dignified  title  is  prefixed  to  his  name,  replacing  the 
military  one.  The  following  extract  was  copied  by 
the  writer  directly  from  a  leaf  of  the  oldest  records 
of  Groton,  known  as  the  “  Indian  Roll:”1  — 

“August.  12.  1689.  Cap4  James  Parker  Left  Jonas 
Prescot  Decon  Lawranc  Sarg  Jonachan  Sawtall  Cornelos 
church  John  farnworth  &  Josiah  Parker  do  Respond  for  the 
non  Rezedents  Rats  to  mr  hobart  for  this  yeares  solory.” 

1  In  a  proof  copy  of  Butler’s  history  of  Groton,  formerly  the  property  of 
Amos  Lawrence  of  Boston,  is  the  following  foot-note  on  p.  33  :  “  I  remember 
this  roll  as  first  found  among  the  papers  in  our  garret  in  1807.  It  was  deemed 
quite  a  curiosity.  Amos  Lawrence. 

“Boston,  March  15,  1848.” 


i4 


HISTORICAL  SKETCHES 


Nathaniel  Lawrence  was  a  representative  from  Groton 
to  the  “  General  Court  or  assembly  begun  at  Boston 
the  8th  day  of  June,  1692,”  and  again  in  the  following 
year.  In  the  town  records,  under  date  of  April  12, 
1693,  is  this  item:  — 

“  Know  all  peple  by  thes  presenc  that  Nathanaeill  Law- 
ranc  senor  hath  Reseiued  full  satisfactione  by  the  select  men 
and  Constables  for  sarueing  the  town  as  a  Representiue  at 
the  two  first  sestione. 

I  say  reseiued  by  me  Nathannil  Laurance. 

Payed  to  Nathanail  Lawranc  se  [senior]  aight 
pounds  in  mony.” 

In  March,  1692,  together  with  his  brothers  Joseph, 
Peleg,  Enosh,  and  Jonathan,  and  his  son  John,  he  was 
enrolled  in  one  of  the  garrisons  for  the  defence  of  the 

o 

town  against  the  Indians.  Mr.  Boutwell  informs  me 
that  the  garrison-house  in  which  Nathaniel  Lawrence 
served  was  a  short  distance  north  of  his  (Lawrence’s) 
dwelling-house,  at  the  junction  of  the  road  to  Ayer 
with  the  one  leading  to  Farmer’s  Row.  He  left 
Groton  probably  in  1694,  and  appears  to  have  lived  in 
Concord  for  a  short  period,  as  his  residence  is  so  given 
in  a  deed  of  the  following  year.1  Dr.  Green  says  that 
a  signature  of  Deacon  Lawrence  in  the  Groton  records, 
under  date  of  Feb.  18,  1695,  was  written  by  Jonas 
Prescott.  “  Nathannell  larrance,”  who  was  chosen  a 
fence-viewer  in  1696,  was  probably  his  son. 

In  1698  he  was  settled  in  Charlestown,  and  there 
remained  for  some  twenty-five  years.  At  an  advanced 

1  The  early  Concord  records  give  no  information  on  this  point.  No  tax-lists 
previous  to  1695  are  preserved. 


OF  THE  LAWRENCE  FAMILY. 


15 


age  he  removed  to  Cambridge  Farms,  now  Lexington, 
where  his  son  John  had  long  resided,  and  there  died, 
April  14,  1724,  in  his  eighty-fifth  year.  His  first  wife, 
Sarah,  died  at  Groton,  Aug.  29,  1683.  He  married 

about  the  year  1686  Sarah - 1  of  Groton,  by  whom 

he  had  three  children.  She  survived  him. 

JOSEPH  LAWRENCE, 

The  fourth  son  of  John  of  Wisset,  Eng.,  was  born 
in  Watertown,  May  30,  1643.  He  was  an  original 
proprietor  of  a  five-acre  right  in  Groton,  and  owned 
several  other  parcels  of  land.  He  was  admitted  a 
freeman  when  nearly  twenty-nine  years  old,  and  was 
several  times  chosen  a  tithing-man,  and  once  an  over¬ 
seer  of  swine.  He  married  in  1671  Rebecca  - , 

and  had  one  daughter.  The  following  is  from  the 
“  early  records  of  Groton  :  ”  — 

“  att  ye  select  mens  meeting  Decmbr  10:  1689  Joseph 
Lawranc  [was]  agreed  with  to  swep  ye  meeting  house  hang 
out  ye  flag  &  carry  water  for  Baptiseng  children  for  one 

yere  :  &  is  to  haue  for  yl  saruis  ye  sum  of  26  s . 

£1  .  .  06  .  .  00.” 

He  lived  near  the  site  of  the  first  meeting¬ 
house  built  in  Groton,  on  the  farm  known  as  the 

1  It  is  difficult  to  ascertain  the  facts  in  regard  to  this  second  marriage.  The 
county  records  give  Hannah  or  Anna  as  the  name  of  Nathaniel  Lawrence’s 
second  wife ;  and  in  the  family  genealogy  it  is  stated  that  he  married  Hannah 
Tarbell,  Nov.  9, 16S7.  But  on  that  very  day  his  son  John  married  a  person  of  the 
same  name.  There  is,  however,  abundant  proof  that  the  name  of  Nathaniel’s 
second  wife  was  Sarah.  (See  Appendix,  No.  6.)  Among  the  papers  on  file  at 
the  Middlesex  Probate  Office  is  one  dated  April,  1724,  signed,  “  Sarey  Law¬ 
rence  widdo  to  Nathanael  Lawrence,  Late  decesd  of  Lexintown.” 


i6 


HISTORICAL  SKETCHES 


Shepley  estate,  a  short  distance  north-east  of  the 
village. 

The  writer  has  some  original  papers  signed  “  Joseph 
Lawrence,  his  marke.”  Copies  of  them  will  be  found 
in  the  appendix. 

He  lived  until  after  1706. 

PELEG  LAWRENCE, 

The  sixth  son  of  John,  sen.,  was  born  in  Watertown, 
Jan.  10,  1647.  He  was  probably  the  “  son  now  neere 
upon  age”  (1665),  mentioned  in  a  petition  already 
given.  When  twenty-one  years  old  he  married  Eliza¬ 
beth  Morse,  and  had  nine  children.  Many  of  their 
descendants  are  living  in  New  England  at  the  present 
day.  His  name  first  appears  on  the  Groton  records 
in  1669.  In  the  following  year  he  sold  to  his  brother 
Nathaniel  thirteen  acres  of  upland  lying  upon  Gibbet 
hill,  formerly  the  property  of  his  brother  Joseph.  (See 
Appendix,  No.  4.) 

Peleg  and  Nathaniel  Lawrence  were  among  the 
inhabitants  of  Groton  who  sought  a  temporary  refuge 
in  Concord  when  their  homes  were  destroyed  by  the 
Indians  in  1676.1  The  former  served  two  years  as 
selectman,  and  held  some  minor  offices.  He  lived 
on  the  farm  now  owned  by  Samuel  B.  Marshall,  on 
the  great  road  to  Boston,  about  a  mile  east  of  the 
later  residence  of  his  brother  Nathaniel,  elsewhere 
described.  Peleg  Lawrence  died  Feb.  14,  1692.  The 
following  are  some  of  the  articles  mentioned  in  the 
inventory  of  his  estate  :  — 


1  Butler’s  History  of  Groton,  p.  86. 


OF  THE  LAWRENCE  FAMILY. 


1 7 

“  Wearing  cloaths ;  arms,  ammunition  and  cutlash  ;  Bookes; 
cart,  ploughs,  chaine,  yoak,  siths  [scythes],  houghs  [hoes], 
spun-yarn,  2  steel  traps,  one  swine.” 

Sum  total  of  inventory,  ^140  4^.  Dated  March  13, 
1693. 

Early  in  the  following  year  Deacon  Nathaniel  Law¬ 
rence,  Jonathan  Lawrence,  Stephen  Holden,  John 
Perham,  and  Nathaniel  Lawrence,  jun.,  “  or  any 
three  of  them  (Deacon  Laurrence  being  one),”  were 
appointed  “  to  make  a  Distribution  of  ye  Houseing 
and  Land  &  other  Estate  of  Peleg  Laurrance  late  of 
Groton,  Deceased.” 

Susanna,  the  youngest  child,  married  Joseph  Williams 
of  Plainfield,  Conn.,  Oct.  13,  1710. 

The  following  is  taken  from  the  land  records  of 
Groton  :  — 

“  Lands  Layd  out  to  Pelleg  Lawrance  on  the  west  end  of 
Stonny  Brook  Pond. 

“  (1.)  Seaventy  acres  be  it  mor  or  Lesse  Bounded  as  fol- 
loweth  [:]  northerly  by  the  Lands  of  Serg1  Knop  and  towns 
comon  westerly  by  the  Lands  of  Jonas  Prescot  Southerly 
by  ye  Ridge  of  ye  hill  on  the  south  sid[e]  of  the  Brook  that 
Runes  out  of  Spectackle  Pond  into  Stonny  brook  pond  and 
easterly  by  Stonny  brook  pond.  (2.)  forty  acres  be  it  mor 
or  Lesse  Bounded  as  ffolloweth  [:]  easterly  pdy  by  the  Lands 
of  Jonas  Prescot  westerly  by  the  medow  of  Cap1.  Parker 
northerly  by  the  Pond  at  Stonney  Brook  and  southerly  by 
Nashoba  Line  and  towns  comon  Land.  .  .  .  (5.)  ffour  acres 
and  thre[e]  quarters  mor  or  Lesse  upon  which  his  house 
standeth  formerly  Layd  out  to  thomas  Boyden  Bounded 
southward  by  the  Countrey  highway  westward  with  the  lands 
of  matthias  ffarnworth  sen:  northward  by  fferney  medow 
eastward  by  the  highway.” 


i8 


HISTORICAL  SKETCHES 


SAMUEL  LAWRENCE, 

The  oldest  son  of  Peleg,  was  born  in  Groton,  Oct. 
1 6,  1671.  He  was  appointed  one  of  the  administrators 
of  his  father’s  estate.  It  is  probable  that  he  removed 
to  Connecticut  with  his  younger  brother  Joseph  about 
the  year  1707,  and  that  he  made  his  home  in  the 
northern  part  of  Plainfield,  —  a  district  which  in  the 
following  year  became  the  town  of  Killingly.  His 
brother  Joseph  and  his  cousin  Daniel,  who  went  from 
Groton  to  this  region  at  about  the  same  time,  settled 
in  the  southerly  part  of  Plainfield,  as  mentioned  later. 
Our  information  concerning  Samuel  Lawrence  is 
derived  chiefly  from  the  following  extract  from  the 
Middlesex  Registry  of  Probate  :  — 

“An  Inventory  of  ye  Goods  Chattels  and  Credits  of  Samuel 
Lawrence  of  late  a  Resident  in  Killingsly  in  ye  Collony  of 
Connecticut  who  Deceased  there  in  ye  Month  of  May  last 
Past  and  died  Intestate.  As  it  Was  Taken  by  us  the  Sub¬ 
scribers  being  shown  to  us  by  Abigail  Lawrence  Relict  & 
widow  of  ye  sd  Deceased.  Shee  now  being  a  resident  in 
Sherborn  in  ye  County  of  Middx.  in  ye  Province  of  ye  Massa¬ 
chusetts  as  ye  full  of  what  and  so  much  of  her  sd  Husbands 
estate  as  hath  come  to  her  hand  since  his  Deceass.  April 
ye  3d.  1712.” 

“  [Here  follows  a  list  of  articles.] 

“  The  Sum  totall  of  this  Inventory  is 
£87  ...  16  ...  o. 

“Sherborn.  April  ye  14,  1712.” 


OF  THE  LAWRENCE  FAMILY. 


19 


MAJOR  ELEAZER  LAWRENCE, 

The  second  son  of  Peleg,  was  born  in  Groton,  Feb. 
28,  1674-5,  and  married,  about  the  year  1698,  Mary, 
the  eldest  daughter  of  Samuel  and  Elizabeth  Scrip¬ 
ture,  by  whom  he  had  ten  children.  He  appears  to 
have  lived  for  some  years  in  a  house  in  Littleton,  on 
the  east  side  of  the  old  stage-road  to  Concord  and 
Boston,  a  very  short  distance  south  of  the  Stony-Brook 
Railroad.  The  cellar  of  this  house  still  remains.  He 
afterwards  probably  built  and  occupied  the  house  now 
owned  by  George  F.  Proctor,  a  description  of  which  is 
elsewhere  given. 

The  following  agreement  is  from  the  Littleton 
Proprietors’  Book  of  Records:  — 

“To  all  Christian  People  before  whome  these  presents 
shall  Come  Greeting  Know  yee  yl  we  whose  names  are  under 
written  hauing  obtaind  ye  General  Courts  grant  of  a  certain 
tract  or  parcel  of  Land  comonly  cald  Nashoba  which  was 
long  since  purchasd  of  ye  Indian  Proprietors  of  sd  Land  by 
our  selves  &  predisessors  as  may  appear  by  our  Sevral  Deeds. 
Do  by  these  presents  mutualy  agree  to  throw  all  in  Coraon 
for  ye  good  of  ye  Town,  &  so  to  draw  our  sevral  proportions 
according  to  our  several  interests  &  former  agreements,  & 
yf  we  do  farther  agree  to  admit  as  asosiates  acording  to 
former  agreements,  Paul  Dudley  Esqr,  Addington  Davenport 
Esqr,  &  Mr.  John  White  all  of  Boston  &  also  to  reserve  two 
or  three  lots  where  it  is  most  convenient  for  ye  ministry  [,] 
scoole  or  such  other  Publick  uses  as  may  be  thought  Propper 
to  be  at  ye  disposition  of  ye  major  part  of  ye  Propriety,  also 
to  bare  our  proportion  of  all  ye  charge  yl  hath  or  may  arise 
on  ye  premises[.]  To  ye  confirmation  of  which  we  bind  & 
obliege  our  selves  our  heirs  executors  &  administrators  firmly 


20 


HISTORICAL  SKETCHES 


by  these  presents  [.]  in  witness  whereof  we  have  hereunto 
set  our  hands  &  Seale  this  15th.  of  Decerar  1714.  Note  that 
ye  lands  cald  Powerses  farm  is  not.  by  this  instrument 
included. 

c  Signd  &  seald  in  1 

I  presence  of  us  j_  [Here  follow  the  signatures  of  eighteen  other 

Dan’1  Laurance  |  proprietors,  including  that  of] 
l  Sam’1.  Long  1 

“Eliezer  Laurance.’ 

The  Daniel  Lawrence  who  is  named  as  a  witness  to 
the  foregoing  paper  was  probably  the  youngest  son  of 
Peleg. 

Eleazer  Lawrence  was  frequently  chosen  moderator 
at  meetings  of  the  proprietors  and  townspeople,  and 
also  served  as  selectman  and  constable.  In  the  book 
of  records  above  mentioned,  we  find  the  copy  of  a 
warrant,  dated  Groton,  Nov.  11,  1729,  signed  by 
Benjamin  Prescott,  justice  of  the  peace,  and  addressed 
to  “  Capt.  Eleazer  Laurance  of  Littleton,  one  of  ye 
Proprietors  of  ye  Common  Lands  In  Littleton,”  direct¬ 
ing  the  latter  to  give  due  notification  of  a  “  meeting  of 
ye  Proprietors  to  be  held  at  ye  Dwelling  House  of  Mr 
Samuel  Hunt,  Inholder  in  Littleton  on  Tuesday  the 
25  th  Day  of  November  Currant  at  one  of  ye  Clock  in 
ye  affternoon.”  He  received  the  title  of  major  about 
1734.  A  few  citations  from  the  town  records  are  here 
given  :  — 

“  At  a  meeting  of  the  Inhabitants  of  Littleton  on  the 
seuenteenth  of  January  1724-5,  [it  was]  voted  that  there 
should  be  a  school-master.”  “  It  was  allso  voated  that  a 
Commety  be  chosen  to  hier  a  School-master  and  Deacon 
Taylor  and  Leutf:  Lawrance  and  nathan  Powers  was  Choosen 
to  hier  a  School-master  for  sd  Town.” 


OF  THE  LAWRENCE  FAMILY. 


2  I 


At  a  town-meeting,  Nov.  20,  1727, — 

“Voted  to  Cap1  Lawrance  fourteen  shillings  for  birds 
heads.” 

Dec.  8,  1729,  it  was  voted,  — 

“That  the  Town  will  hier  a  scull  master  that  belongs  to 
sd  Town  for  to  keep  scoll  for  sd  Town ;  uoted  that  Cap4 
Elezer  Lawrence  and  decon  Caleb  Taylor  and  Benjamin  Hore 
be  a  Committey  to  hier  one  for  sd  Town  in  seasen.” 

“Littleton,  January  ye  nth  1730-31.  At  a  meeting  of 
the  freeholders  &  other  Inhabitents  of  Littleton  votable  as 
ye  Law  Directs  and  met  on  ye  Day  aforesd,  Cap4  Eleazr 
Lawriance  [was  chosen  one  of  a  committee]  to  Supplye  ye 
pulpit  with  a  minister  or  ministers  for  two  months  ensuing.” 

At  a  town-meeting,  March  5,  1743,  he  was  chosen 
“to  see  that  ye  streems  be  keept  open  acording  to  Law 
for  ketching  of  Fich.” 

Major  Eleazer  Lawrence  died  at  Pepperell,  March  9, 
1754,  aged  eighty  years.  His  will  was  dated  Dec.  29, 
1749,  and  was  probated  Jan.  13,  1755.  His  wife  and 
son,  David,  were  appointed  executors.  The  document 
bears  the  signature  “  Elaza  Lawrance.” 

DEACON  PELEG  LAWRENCE, 

The  oldest  son  of  Eleazer,  and  grandson  of  Peleg,  sen., 
was  born  in  Groton,  June  1,  1701.  He  was  admitted 
a  voter  in  Littleton  in  1 738, 1  but  did  not  long  reside 

1  Peleg  Lawrence  and  other  citizens  of  Groton,  who  lived  in  the  south-east 
part  of  the  township,  petitioned  the  General  Court  to  be  set  off  with  their 
estates  to  Littleton.  Their  petition  was  granted  Jan.  4,  1738-9.  The  former 
boundary  between  Nashobah,  afterwards  Littleton,  and  Groton  was  then  replaced 
by  the  present  line  between  the  two  towns. 


22 


HISTORICAL  SKETCHES 


in  that  town.  He  removed  to  Groton  West  Parish, 
afterwards  Peppered,  where  he  became  actively  inter¬ 
ested  in  town  and  church  affairs.  He  served  as 
selectman  of  Groton  three  years,  and  was  twice  chosen 
deer-reeve. 

In  the  church  records  we  find  the  following :  — 

“Groton  West  Parish,  Sep1'  ye  6th  1743.  At  a  meeting 
of  sd  Parish  Held  by  Adjournment  at  the  house  of  mr  James 
Lawrance  in  sd  Parish  [;]  When  assembled  .  .  *  [it  was] 
voted  to  hier  Preeching  from  ye  first  Sabbath  in  Novr  till 
the  Last  Sabbath  in  April  next.  Voted  and  chose  Jerem 
Laurence  Peleg  Laurence  and  Moses  Woods  a  Comtee  to  hire 
Preaching  in  sd  Parish.” 

“At  a  elm  meeting  at  the  meeting-House,  Aug  :  23  1754, 
voted  to  choose  two  Deacons,  unanimously  made  choice  of 
Brother  Peleg  Lawrence  for  the  first.” 

His  letter  of  acceptance  was  read  publicly  in 
October  following.  The  writer  has  a  copy  of  this 
document.  Deacon  Peleg  Lawrence  died  Sept.  4, 
1757- 


DR.  EPHRAIM  LAWRENCE 

(i735-i8o9),  the  second  son  of  Deacon  Peleg,  and 
great-grandson  of  Peleg,  sen.,  was  chosen  a  selectman 
of  Peppered  in  1761;  and  during  the  twenty  years 
next  ensuing  his  name  frequently  appears  on  the 
records  as  a  participant  in  the  public  affairs  of  the 
district,  and  later  in  those  of  the  town.  For  many 
years  he  was  a  member  of  the  standing  committee  of 
the  church,  and  he  was  often  appointed  a  delegate  to 
attend  ordinations  and  meetings  of  ecclesiastical  coun¬ 
cils.  Dr.  Ephraim  Lawrence  practised  medicine  in 


OF  THE  LAWRENCE  FAMILY. 


23 


Pepperell.  On  Jan.  11,  1773,  he  was  chosen  one  of  a 
committee  of  nine  “  to  communicate  the  sentiments 
of  this  district  to  the  committee  of  Boston.”  The 
report  of  the  former  committee,  to  which  his  signature 
was  appended,  sufficiently  attests  his  patriotism  in 
ante-Revolutionary  days.  In  this  connection  we  may 
remark,  that,  so  far  as  we  have  been  able  to  ascertain, 
very  few  of  the  descendants  of  John  Lawrence  of 
Wisset,  Eng.,  who  were  living  in  those  exciting  times, 
ever  manifested  any  sympathy  with  the  Tory  cause. 
One  or  two  notable  exceptions  serve  only  to  prove  the 
rule. 


CAPT.  ASA  LAWRENCE, 

The  youngest  son  of  Deacon  Peleg,  and  grandson  of 
Major  Eleazer,  was  born  June  14,  1737,  and  was 
married  at  Littleton,  July  27,  1757,  to  Abigail  King,  by 
the  Rev.  Daniel  Rogers.  They  had  ten  children.  Asa 
Lawrence  probably  passed  his  youth  and  the  early 
years  of  his  married  life  in  Pepperell  district,  where 
his  father  had  settled  ;  but  previous  to  the  Revolution, 
he  removed  to  Groton,  where  he  lived  in  a  house  about 
one  mile  east  of  the  village.1  This  was  the  birthplace 
of  most  of  his  children.  As  captain  of  one  of  the 
Groton  companies  of  minute-men,  he  hastened  with 
the  men  of  his  command  to  Cambridge,  when  the 
Lexington  alarm  was  sounded,  and  later,  with  his  men, 
fought  at  Bunker  Hill.  His  name  appears  on  the 
“Coat- Rolls”  (Mass.  Revol.  Muster  Rolls),  which  is 
evidence  of  eight  months’  service.  He  also  took  part 

1  Capt.  Asa  Lawrence  and  his  wife  were  “  received  from  Pepperell,”  Sept. 
4,  1774.  (Groton  Church  Records.) 


24 


HISTORICAL  SKETCHES 


in  some  of  the  earlier  campaigns  of  the  war.  Capt. 
Asa  Lawrence  died  Jan.  1 6,  1804. 


JONATHAN  LAWRENCE 

(1703-1789),  the  second  son  of  Eleazer,  and  grandson 
of  Peleg,  sen.,  was  twice  married,  and  had  a  large 
family  of  children.  We  find  mention  of  himself  and 
of  his  brothers  in  the  Littleton  records,  as  follows  :  — 

“January  the  8th  1738  ;  voted  that  peleg  Lawrance, 
Jonathan  Lawrance,  Eleazer  Lawrance,  Samuel  Lawrance 
and  John  Farwell,  that  ye  Town  Except  [accept]  the  said 
persons  to  be  inhabitants  and  voters  of  Said  Town.” 

We  select  one  more  item  of  interest  relating  to 
him  :  — 

“Littleton,  may  ye  22d.  1753.  [It  was]  Proposed  to  ye 
Town  wheather  thay  will  give  mr  Jonathon  Lawranc  Twenty 
Shillings  for  Killing  of  three  wolves  that  he  has  Killed  ye 
year  past  &  it  was  voted  &  it  Past  In  ye  affermitive.”  “Then 
Proposed  wheather  the  Town  will  give  m1'  Jonathan  Law¬ 
rance  &  mr  Richard  King  Liberty  to  bu[i]ld  a  Pew  over  ye 
womens  stairs  in  ye  meeting  House  [.]  voted  and  past  In  the 
negative.” 

Jonathan  Lawrence1  was  chosen  a  deacon  of  the 
church  in  1763.  He  served  also  as  a  selectman  and 
town  treasurer  of  Littleton,  and  occupied  various 
responsible  positions.  He  died  in  1789,  aet.  eighty- 
six. 

1  The  name  of  Jonathan  Lawrence  of  Littleton  appears  in  a  muster-roll  of 
Capt.  Aaron  Bullard’s  company  in  Col.  Samuel  Bullard’s  regiment,  Dec.  30, 
1777.  (Mass.  Revol.  Muster  Rolls,  vol.  20,  p.  96.) 


OF  THE  LAWRENCE  FAMILY. 


25 


JONATHAN  LAWRENCE,  Junior 

(1728-1775),  of  Littleton,  eldest  child  of  the  preceding, 
and  great-grandson  of  Peleg,  sen.,  enlisted  as  a  soldier 
in  1748.  On  July  10  of  that  year,  while  with  a  small 
party  en  route  between  the  towns  of  Northfield,  Mass., 
and  Ashuelot,  N.H.,  they  were  attacked  by  French 
and  Indians,  in  the  vicinity  of  Fort  Dummer.  Two 
were  killed,  and  nine,  including  Jonathan  Lawrence, 
jun.,  were  made  captives. 

“  They  lost  every  thing  of  value  which  they  had  with  them, 
and  were  taken  to  Canada  and  sold  to  the  French,  who 
retained  them  until  the  1st  of  October,  when  they  were 
released  and  allowed  to  return  home.”  1 


CAPT.  DAVID  LAWRENCE, 

The  third  son  of  Eleazer,  and  grandson  of  Peleg,  sen., 
was  born  Dec.  26,  1705,  and  married  Hannah  Sawtell. 
He  was  a  worthy  citizen  of  Littleton.  In  1755  he  was 
chosen  collector  for  the  proprietors  of  the  common 
lands.  He  had  the  rank  and  title  of  captain  in  the 
militia.  He  was  admitted  to  full  communion  in 
the  church  Dec.  27,  1761.  In  1779  Capt.  David 
Lawrence  was  a  member  of  a  committee  to  provide  for 
the  families  of  the  Continental  soldiers.  He  died 
Sept.  28,  1790,  aged  eighty-four. 


1  History  of  Eastern  Vermont.  By  Benjamin  H.  Hall.  1858.  p.  50. 


26 


HISTORICAL  SKETCHES 


DEACON  DAVID  LAWRENCE,  Junior, 

The  only  child  of  the  preceding,  and  great-grandson  of 
Peleg,  sen.,  was  born  in  Littleton  in  1762.  He  was  a 
man  of  scholarly  tastes  and  of  good  education.  He 
was  quite  prominent  in  town  affairs,  occupying  at  dif¬ 
ferent  times  the  positions  of  selectman,  assessor,  town 
clerk,  constable,  school-committee  man,  and  “  vendue 
master.”  He  was  also  a  justice  of  the  peace,  and  a 
lieutenant  in  the  militia.  One  of  his  descendants 
writes  as  follows  :  — 

“  My  grandfather,  Deacon  David  Lawrence  of  Littleton, 
grandson  of  Capt.  Eleazer  Lawrence,  studied  law  at  Concord, 
Mass.  In  the  old  home,  beside  the  old  clock  in  the  sitting- 
room,  was  a  bed  which  by  day  was  put  up  and  enclosed  by 
doors.  In  this  bed  one  night  Deacon  Lawrence  was  awak¬ 
ened  by  a  call  from  without  of  a  couple  who  had  come  to  be 
married.  He  arose,  dressed,  and  at  the  open  window,  he 
within  and  they  without,  performed  the  marriage  ceremony  ; 
and  the  twain  departed,  no  longer  two,  but  one.  Grandfather 
once  took  charge  of  the  services  at  the  ‘  meeting-house,’ 
where  he  was  a  deacon.  A  minister  from  Stow  was  expected, 
who  did  not  come  ;  and  Deacon  Lawrence  went  into  the 
pulpit,  gave  out  the  hymn,  offered  prayer,  and  read  a  sermon. 
He  always  conducted  family  worship  in  his  own  house. 
Grandfather  was  a  courtly  man,  very  hospitable,  entertaining 
many  distinguished  persons  at  his  home.  He  always  wore 
his  hair  combed  straight  back  off  his  forehead,  and  at  one 
time  always  in  a  queue.  Being  once  at  the  house  of  his 
brother-in-law  (Dr.  Daniel  Adams),  at  Keene,  N.H.,  the  doctor 
teased  him  about  the  queue,  and  just  before  he  was  to  set  off 
for  home,  went  behind  him  with  a  pair  of  sheep-shears,  and 
severed  half  of  the  queue  from  his  head,  thus  necessitating 
the  giving  up  of  the  remainder. 


OF  THE  LAWRENCE  FAMILY. 


27 


“  Grandfather  was  not  tall,  rather  stout,  full  face,  blue 
eyes,  hair  turned  early,  —  a  mark,  I  believe,  belonging  to 
the  family.  He  was  fond  of  books,  and  of  wit  and  repartee. 
In  his  later  years,  however,  from  the  condition  of  his  health 
(torpid  liver,  etc.),  he  became  more  serious.” 

Deacon  David  Lawrence  died  in  Littleton,  March 
29,  1827,  in  the  sixty-sixth  year  of  his  age. 

The  following  letter  was  written  by  Deacon  David 
Lawrence  to  his  sister-in-law,  Miss  Lovey  Adams  of 
Lincoln,  and  is  interesting  from  its  quaint  description 
of  the  conduct  of  an  ardent  lover. 


Littleton,  Feb.  26,  1803. 

Dear  Sister,  — To  an  observing  mind,  the  various  occur¬ 
rences  of  life,  and  the  different  characters  which  are  dis¬ 
played,  afford  constant  instruction,  and  open  a  large  field  for 
inquiring  into  the  motives,  the  designs,  and  the  successes  of 
men. 

’Tis  natural  for  a  rational  being  to  make  observations  on 
the  conduct  of  others  ;  and  I  think  we  may  thereby  gain 
some  very  useful  lessons,  and  furnish  ourselves  with  some  of 
the  most  valuable  materials  to  form  our  own  characters,  and 
assist  us  in  our  journey  through  life.  To  gain  any  object  in 
this  life,  which  is  worth  gaining,  requires  all  our  attention  in 
the  pursuit.  We  are  not  formed  to  attend  to  many  things  at 
once,  and  the  person  who  makes  the  attempt  seldom  attends 
to  any  thing  as  he  ought.  He  is  said  to  be  a  good  student, 
whose  whole  attention  is  fixed  on  his  studies.  Whenever  I 
see  a  man  whose  mind,  and,  as  it  were,  his  very  soul  is 
engaged  in  the  pursuit  of  some  desired  object,  I  cannot  but 
wish  him  success.  .  .  . 

Now,  you  must  know  I  hate  to  be  questioned  and  teased 
all  the  time  with  “  Where  is  Lovey  ?  ”  etc.  There  was  one 
of  these  inquirers  I  could  not  but  take  notice  of,  and  confess 


23 


HISTORICAL  SKETCHES 


I  could  not  help  pitying  him ;  for  he  appeared  to  be  in  rather 
a  slender  state  of  health,  and  I  was  in  fear  that  his  disap¬ 
pointment  would  have  been  too  much  for  him.  I  found  out 
that  he  had  seen  you  somewhere  in  his  travels,  and  he  had 
taken  a  long  journey  to  see  you  once  more.  I  suppose  he 
wished  to  see  if  your  countenance  was  altered,  or  some  such 
thing.  I  don’t  know  what,  not  I.  After  he  found  you  were 
not  here,  we  could  not  persuade  him  to  tarry,  although  it 
was  evening ;  and  he  had  liked  to  have  gone  away  and  left 
his  hat.  He  did  leave  his  whip  ;  and  when  I  gave  it  to  him 
at  the  door,  he  turned  the  mistake  very  well,  for  he  said  he 
left  it  to  “whip  Lovey  with.” 

Now,  in  the  name  of  all  that  is  comical,  what  should  he 
wish  to  whip  you  for?  Have  you  ever  injured  him?  Or 
what  is  the  matter  ? 

There  seems  to  be  some  mystery.  The  man  appeared  to 
be  agitated,  and  I  fear  you  have  injured  him  some  way  or 
other.  He  had  been  to  Boston  ;  for  it  seems  he  is  a  trader, 
and  was  on  his  way  home.  He  appeared  to  be  an  agreeable 
man  and  of  good  understanding,  if  he  had  been  in  his  right 
mind  :  but  he  appeared  rather  deranged,  and  I  believe  he  felt 
just  as  I  have  in  former  times;  that  is,  all  over  at  once,  and 
then  in  spots  again. 

Do  explain  all  this  to  me. 

He  or  somebody  else  will  be  here  again  in  two  or  three 
weeks. 

You  must  come  back,  Love. 

Good-by.  Patty  sends  love  to  you,  and  so  does  your 
brother, 


Lawrence. 


FROM  A  PAINTING  BY  H.  I.  BROWN. 


OF  THE  LAWRENCE  FAMILY. 


29 


THE  “OLD  LAWRENCE  FARM”  AND  LANDS 
IN  LITTLETON. 

More  than  two  hundred  years  ago  Peleg  Lawrence 
purchased  from  the  Nashobah  Indians  a  tract  of  land 
adjacent  to  the  south-eastern  boundary  of  old  Groton 
township,  and  now  in  Littleton.  He  also  owned 
other  lands  in  the  neighborhood.  On  April  1,  1717, 
Capt.  Jonathan  Prescott,  “  Prof  of  Phy[sick]  & 
Chir[urgery] ,”  Capt.  Joseph  Bulkley  of  Concord,  and 
Isaac  Powers,  a  committee  of  the  Littleton  proprietors, 
conveyed  by  a  deed  to  Eleazer  Lawrence  one  hundred 
and  twenty-three  acres  of  land  in  the  north-west  part 
of  Littleton,  of  which  eighty-eight  acres  were  for  a 
house-lot  “  whereon  the  saw-mill  now  stands.”1 

Again,  in  the  year  1728,  Eleazer  Lawrence  pur¬ 
chased  of  Robert  Robbins  all  of  the  latter’s  real 
estate  in  Littleton  ;  and  twenty  years  afterwards  he 
conveyed  to  his  son,  Capt.  David  Lawrence,  the  home¬ 
stead,  with  one  hundred  and  thirty  acres  of  land,  of 
which  the  north-western  boundary  was  “  Groton  old 
line,”  —  “always  reserving  to  my  own  use  and  to 
the  use  and  improvement  of  Mary  my  wife  and  to  the 
Longest  Liver  of  us  the  Improvement  of  the  Dwelling 
I  now  live  in  and  the  Barn  and  all  the  Land  that  is 
now  under  my  improvement.”  The  above  extracts 
have  been  selected,  because,  together  with  facts  men¬ 
tioned  later,  they  seem  to  prove  conclusively  that  the 
homestead  just  described  is  identical  with  the  place 
in  Littleton  still  known  as  the  “  old  Lawrence  Farm,” 
which  originally  extended  northerly  as  far  as  Forge 
Pond. 

1  Middlesex  Registry  of  Deeds,  vol.  xix.  p.  258. 


30 


HISTORICAL  SKETCHES 


Capt.  David  Lawrence  lived  in  a  house  now  standing, 
on  what  was  formerly  the  stage-road  to  Keene,  N.H., 
about  a  mile  from  the  present  Groton  line,  and  very 
near  the  old  boundary.  This  house  is,  without  doubt, 
a  very  ancient  structure,  and  its  venerable  aspect 
cannot  fail  to  arrest  the  attention  of  the  traveller. 
Mr.  Boutwell,  in  a  recent  letter  to  the  writer,  says,  — 

“  Peleg  Lawrence’s  lands  near  Forge  and  Spectacle  Ponds 
were  all  around  the  old  house  which  you  visited.  The  record 
[1683]  gives  the  Nashobah  line  as  south  of  these  lands.  It 
is  not  improbable  that  Peleg  Lawrence  built  the  old  house 
for  his  son  Eleazer.” 

During  recent  personal  interviews  with  several 
descendants  of  Eleazer  Lawrence,  various  interesting 
facts  have  been  obtained. 

Mrs.  Martha  Gray,  the  eldest  child  of  Mrs.  Lovey 
Adams  (Lawrence)  Clark,1  who  was  a  daughter  of 
Deacon  David  Lawrence,  jun.,  of  Littleton,  has  a 
handsome  hall  clock,  with  a  brass  face,  made  by 
Nathaniel  Mulliken  of  Lexington.  This  clock  was  in 
the  old  Littleton  house,  and  had  been  standing  there 
for  many  years,  when  Deacon  David  Lawrence,  jun., 
who  was  married  Dec.  23,  1790,  brought  home  his 
bride  (Patty  Adams  of  Lincoln)  to  the  old  house, 
which  he  had  inherited  on  his  father’s  death  some 
three  months  before.  Afterwards  the  house  was 


1  Moses  Clark,  born  at  Warren,  N.Y.,  Jan.  24,  1S03,  married,  Oct.  7,  1824, 
Lovey  Adams  Lawrence,  who  was  born  at  Littleton,  July  31,  1795,  and  who 
died  May  28,  1863.  Their  oldest  child,  Martha  Lawrence  Clark,  was  born  at 
Boston,  Mass.,  Oct.  23,  1825,  and  married,  Nov.  20,  1867,  David  Bancroft  Gray 
of  Chicago,  Ill.  They  reside  in  Roxbury  District,  Boston. 


OF  THE  LAWRENCE  FAMILY. 


31 


occupied  by  their  eldest  son,  Mr.  George  Lawrence, 
and  his  family;  and  on  his  decease  in  1848  it  was 
sold  to  the  Rev.  Amasa  Sanderson,  pastor  of  the 
Baptist  church  in  Littleton. 

A  few  years  subsequently  it  was  purchased  by  Mr. 
George  F.  Proctor,  the  present  owner.  Mrs.  Gray 
has  a  small  oil  painting  representing  the  house'  as  it 
appeared  about  the  year  1847.  At  the  present  time 
the  upper  portion  of  die  building  is  occupied  as  a 
dwelling,  and  the  lower  floor  is  used  for  storage 
purposes. 

Very  few  of  the  descendants  of  Eleazer  Lawrence 
now  reside  in  Littleton.  On  a  recent  visit  there  the 
writer  met  the  widow  of  George  Lawrence,  who  was 
the  oldest  child  of  David,  jun.  Her  maiden  name 
was  Rebecca  Merriam,  of  Concord,  Mass.  Although 
eighty-seven  years  of  age,  and  quite  blind,  her  memory 
is  still  clear.  Two  of  her  children,  Eliza  Jane  (Hart¬ 
well)  and  Charles  M.  Lawrence,  live  in  Littleton. 


LIEUT.  ELEAZER  LAWRENCE, 

The  fourth  son  of  Major  Eleazer,  and  grandson  of 
Peleg,  sen.,  was  born  about  the  year  1708,  and  was 
admitted  a  voter  in  Littleton  in  1738.  His  name 
appears  frequently  on  the  town  records.  He  served 
as  constable  and  highway  surveyor,  and  was  a  resident 
of  Littleton  as  late  as  the  year  1767.  Not  long 
after  this  date  he  removed  to  Westford,  and  there 
occupied  the  “  Boutwell  Brook  place,”  so  called.  The 
brook  from  which  the  name  of  his  home  was  derived, 
and  near  which  it  was  situated,  was  once  a  chief 


HISTORICAL  SKETCHES 


outlet  of  Forge  Pond,  but  now  only  drains  Boutwell’s 
meadow,  and  flows  into  Stony  Brook  at  Graniteville.1 

In  the  year  1755,  Eleazer  Lawrence  received  from 
Gov.  Shirley  a  lieutenant’s  commission.  The  original 
of  the  following  letter  is  now  (1888)  in  the  possession 
of  Miss  Grace  Lawrence  of  Forge  Village,  Mass.,  a 
great-granddaughter  of  Lieut.  Eleazer,  and  daughter 
of  Capt.  David  Prescott  Lawrence,  who  died  in  1885. 

Boston  June  20.  1755. 

Sir,  Having  Commissionated  you  to  be  Lieutenant  of  a 
Company  of  thirty  Voluntiers,  to  be  Constantly  employed 
as  a  Scout, 

You  must  take  care  to  inlist  into  your  Company  none  but 
able  Bodied  Effective  men,  and  that  they  be  well  appointed 
as  to  Arms  and  Amunition  and  you  must  keep  in  Constant 
Duty  of  Scouting  (saving  what  Time  may  be  necessary  for 
natural  Refreshment)  and  you  must  consult  and  pursue  the 
best  measures  you  can  for  the  Surprizing,  captivating  and 
destroying  the  Indian  Enemy,  but  must  kill  none  in  Cold 
Blood  or  after  you  have  made  them  Captive. 

You  are  not  so  strictly  obliged  to  keep  the  Rout  between 
the  Rivers  of  Connecticut  and  Merrimack  but  that  upon 
advices  of  any  Particular  advantages  likely  to  be  had  by 
your  going  out  of  these  Lines  for  some  little  distance  and 
Time,  you  have  liberty  to  improve  such  advantages  as  they 
may  Occur. 

You  must  keep  as  exact  a  Journal  of  your  Proceedings  as 
your  Circumstances  will  admit  of,  and  see  that  your  Ensign 
do  the  same,  and  that  Copies  thereof  be  returned  into  the 
Secretarys  Office,  to  be  laid  before  me  once  a  Month  if  you 
have  Opportunity  to  send  them. 

Your  Friend  and  Servant 
W.  Shirley. 

Lieutenant  Eleazer  Lawrance. 

1  Hodgman’s  History  of  Westford. 


OF  THE  LAWRENCE  FAMILY. 


33 


The  “Journal”  kept  during  the  month  of  July,  1755, 
in  accordance  with  the  above  instructions,  is  to  be 
found  in  the  Massachusetts  Archives,  Vol.  38  A, 
p.  172.  A  verbatim  copy  is  here  given  :  — 

A  Jornal  of  our  Scouting  in  His  majestys  Sarvise 
Betwe[e]n  The  Riever  of  Coneticut  and  marimack  Begun  the 
3th  Day  of  July  A.D'.  1755.  Scout[e]d  from  Luningburge 
to  Dochester  Canada  [Ashburnham,  Mass.]  Then  to 
Ipswich  Canada  [Winchendon,  Mass.]  Scouted  ye  4  Day 
Into  the  woods  and  then  to  Dochester  ye  6  &  7th  Days  to 
New  Ipswich  and  so  to  Dochesterf.]  ye  9th  Day  Scouted 
to  Ipswich  Canadaf,]  ye  10th  to  Perquage  [Athol,  Mass] 
ye  11  to  Northfieldf,]  ye  12th  to  Winchester  [N.H.]  ye  13 
to  ye  South  of  menadnackf,]  ye  14  to  Ipswich  Canadaf,] 
ye  j  3th  Dochester  Canada[,]  ye  17th  Day  Divided  ye  Scout 
&  Scouted  one  Part  to  Rouly  Canada  [Rindge,  N.H.]  &  the 
other  part  to  Wacetateck.  ye  18th  to  Dochester  Canada  and 
from  thence  to  Ipswich  Canadaf.]  Scouted  out  Northard 
into  Ipswich  Canadaf,]  ye  21th  Day  to  Perquage  and  Left 
Ten  men  There  and  ye  22th  Day  Scouted  Back  to  Ipswich 
Canada  and  ye  23th  Day  to  Dochester  Canadaf,]  ye  24th 
Scoutd  Northard  to  Ipswich  Canadaf,]  ye  25th  Scouted 
Northard  and  so  to  East  End  of  Dochester  Canadaf,]  ye 
26th  Divided  the  Scout  and  Scouted  to  Winchester  and  to 
Perquage  ye  27th.  Sunday  ye  28  scouted  Northward  in 
Dochesterf,]  ye  29th  Scoutd  Eastward  in  Dochester  Canadaf,] 
ye  30th  Scoutd  Southward  in  Dochesterf,]  ye  31st  to  Ipswich 
Canada  and  this  Day  we  Descovered  A  Small  Number  of 
Tracks  suposed  to  be  Indian  Tracks  and  followed  four  or  five 
miles  and  found  the  bushes  Cut  up  and  bent  Down  In  Sun- 
drey  Places  as  ye  useull  mannur  of  ye  Indians  is  when  they 
Traull  [travel]  upon  the  Descovrey  &c. 

Eleazer  Lawrance 


August  ye  first  ( 
1755.  J 


Commander  of  said  Scoutt. 


34 


HISTORICAL  SKETCHES 


Lieut.  Eleazer  Lawrence  was  twice  married,  and  had 
fourteen  children.  He  died  probably  in  1788,  as  the 
inventory  of  his  estate  is  dated  Sept.  17  of  that  year. 


SAMUEL  LAWRENCE, 

The  youngest  son  of  Major  Eleazer,  and  grandson  of 
Peleg,  sen.,  was  born  May  2,  1714,  and  was  admitted 
a  voter  in  Littleton,  Jan.  8,  1738.  About  three  years 
afterwards  he  removed  to  Westford,  where  he  lived 
for  many  years.  After  the  death  of  his  wife  (Mary 
Hildreth)  in  1788,  he  removed  to  Ashby,  where  his 
sons  Samuel,  jun.,  and  Charles  were  living.  Two 
other  sons  —  Joseph  and  William  —  were  residents  of 
Littleton  in  the  latter  part  of  the  Revolution ;  and 
“John  Lawrence  of  Littleton”  (probably  his  fourth 
son)  was  killed  in  the  battle  of  Bunker  Hill,  June  17, 
1775.  (Mass.  Revol.  Muster-Rolls  :  “Coat-Rolls.”) 

Samuel  Lawrence  died  in  Ashby,  probably  in  1789. 

JOSEPH  LAWRENCE, 

The  fifth  son  of  Peleg,  was  born  in  Groton,  June  12, 
1688.  He  removed  about  the  year  1707  to  Plainfield, 
in  what  is  now  Windham  County,  Conn.  In  the 
records  of  this  town  his  name  first  appears  under  date 
of  Jan.  28,  1708-9,  when  the  town  — 

“Voated  that  joshua  Wheeler  and  joseph  Larrance  shall 
be  free  from  Town  Rats  for  time  to  come  as  to  their  heads.” 

He  sold  his  real  estate  in  Groton,  Jan.  10,  1710,  as 
appears  from  deeds  of  that  date.  The  following  is  an 
abstract  of  one  of  them  :  — 


OF  THE  LAWRENCE  FAMILY. 


35 


“Joseph  Larrance  of  Plainfield  in  ye  County  of  New- 
London  within  her  Majesties  Province  of  Connecticut  in 
New-England  ”  sells  to  Jonathan  Boyden  “one  home-lot 
which  hath  a  four  acres  right,  bounded  as  followeth  :  South¬ 
erly  by  Land  of  Enosh  Larrances,  a  Row  of  apple  Trees  wch 
are  Sweetings  Standing  in  the  Line,  Easterly  partly  by 
Lands  of  Enosh  Larrance  &  partly  by  Land  of  John  Shiplie, 
northerly  [by]  the  Highway  which  goet’n  down  over  halfe 
moon  Bridge  and  Westerly  upon  ye  Town  Commons.” 

From  the  Plainfield  “  land-grants  ”  we  find  that 
Benjamin  Palmer  deeded  to  Joseph  Lawrence,  yeoman, 
Nov.  20,  1712,  a  house-lot  and  fifty  acres  of  land.  In 
his  new  home  he  shortly  became  actively  engaged  in 
town  business,  and  was  chosen  a  field-driver  in  1713, 
and  later  served  as  surveyor  of  highways,  and  as  a 
member  of  the  grand  jury  for  the  county  of  Windham. 
At  a  town-meeting,  Dec.  13,  1720,  it  was  — 

“  Voated  that  Joseph  Lawrance  Do  take  care  of  the  Boyes 
and  Gerls  on  sabath  Dayes,  to  Restraine  them  from  playing 
and  profaining  the  sabath  or  Doing  any  Damage  in  the 
meating  house  by  opening  the  windows  or  anywise  Damnafy- 
ing  the  Glass,  and  that  the  Boyes  be  seated  in  the  two  hind 
seats  in  the  side  Galleries  of  the  mens  side  and  the  Gerls 
in  the  two  hind  seats  on  the  womens  side.”  Also  voted 
“  that  the  negroes  [do  sit]  in  the  last  or  hind  seats  in  the 
Body  of  seats,  the  male  negrows  behind  the  Boyes  and  the 
feemale  negrows  behind  the  Geirls.” — Plainfield  Town 
Records,  vol.  i.,  pp.  93-94. 

At  a  meeting  held  Dec.  8,  1725,  Joseph  Lawrence 
was  chosen  one  of  a  committee  “  to  proportion  and 
equalise  ye  Charge  for  The  schooling  ye  children  ye 


36 


HISTORICAL  SKETCHES 


last  quarter  of  ye  year  past.”  On  Feb.  23,  1727-8, 
Joseph  Lawrence  was  chosen  to  receive  the  “  penelty 
exacted  as  ye  law  directs  on  all  the  proprioters  that 
Doe  nott  sett  up  soficant  Bounds  to  each  mans  lot 
of  fence.” 

From  the  “  records  of  the  Church  of  Christ  in  Plain- 
field,”  we  find  that  Joseph  Lawrence  signed  the  church 
covenant  Jan.  5,  1751,  and  the  name  of  his  wife 
appears  in  a  list  of  “  Females  who  renewed  y  cove¬ 
nant  ”  on  the  same  day. 

He  married  Mary  - — — ,  probably  in  1713,  and  had 
a  son  Thomas,  born  Feb.  1,  17 14-5,  and  a  daughter 
Mary,  born  Jan.  27,  1727-8. 

Joseph  Lawrence  died  July  11,  1756.  By  his  will, 
dated  the  previous  day,  the  widow  was  appointed 
administratrix.  (Plainfield  District  Probate  records, 
Vol.  C.,  p.  108.)  A  few  items  from  the  inventory  of 
his  estate  are  here  given  :  — 

“All  wool  coat  13  shillings;  Brown  Holland  Jacot,  2s  6d ; 
one  pair  of  Leather  Britches  &  Neebuckels  5s ;  2  pair  of  toe 
Britches,  2s  ;  2  New  toe  shirts,  6s  6d  ;  a  sault  morter  is; 
2  psalm  Books  &  other  Small  Books  of  Devenity,  4s ;  a  Great 
Byble,  8s.” 

The  inventory  of  the  widow  Mary  Lawrence,  dated 
Oct.  5,  1769,  contains  the  following:  — 

“  One  checked  Aproon  3s  6d ;  one  old  Aproon  and 
checked  handkerchief  is;  one  velvet  whood  2s  6d ;  a  large 
Bowl  2s  ;  a  tray  is  6d  ;  Morter,  Pessel  &  rolling-pin  17s  8d  ; 
Silver  Bows  for  Specks  is;  a  Cow  that  now  Appears  to  be 
worth  £1 ;  but  as  she  was  Last  Spring  £ 2 


OF  THE  LAWRENCE  FAMILY. 


37 


THOMAS  LAWRENCE, 

A  son  of  Joseph,  and  grandson  of  Peleg,  sen.,  was 
born  in  Plainfield,  Feb.  i,  17 14-15,  and  held  several 

minor  town  offices.  He  married  Sarah - ,  and  had 

three  sons  (Joseph,  Thomas,  and  Josiah)  and  five 
daughters  (Abigail,  Experience,  Relief,  Sarah,  and 
Priscilla).  We  quote  from  the  town  records  :  — 

“At  a  Freemans  meeting  Legaly  Warned  in  plainfield 
September  ye  12th  Day,  1749  .  .  .  Thomas  Lawrence  [and] 
Gideon  Lawrence  were  admitted  to  Be  Freemen  [and]  to  vote 
in  Town  meetings  and  took  ye  Freemans  oath.” 


Thomas  Lawrence  died  in  1754.  The  inventory  of 
his  estate,  dated  Nov.  16  of  that  year,  contains  these 
items:  — 

“To  his  Best  Coat  with  Silver  Buttons  £\ 7.  10s ;  to  a 
Brown  hollon  shirt  £2  ;  to  a  pair  of  Brown  Hollon  Britches, 
£1,  10s  to  ye  Best  Bed,  Bedsted,  Cord  &  all  ye  furniture  Be¬ 
longing  to  it,  £2,6.\gs  ;  to  ye  Red  Chist,  Lock  and  Kee,  £3, 
10s.  to  a  nother  old  Chist  £1.  10s  ;  to  a  Little  speckled  Box, 
Lock  &  Kee,  £1,  15s;  to  one  Porringer  and  Pewter  gill  pott, 
15s  ;  to  a  punch  Bool,  10s  ;  to  an  Earthen  Jugg ;  to  2  pair  of 
Knipers  to  pool  teeth  £2.  to  a  small  brass  Kittle  &  Brass 
Skillit  £3.  Brandin  Iron  30s  ;  to  ye  Poridge-pot  &  old  Iron 
Kittle  £2.  5s ;  to  an  old  Brass  Inkhorn  5s  ;  to  3  pails  &  a 
piggen  £i,ys;  to  a  Ceadar  Keeler,  10s;  to  ye  young  Black 
Mair  £95  ;  to  ye  young  spotted  Mair  £70 ;  to  ye  old  Brown 
Cow  £20  ;  to  ye  old  Red  Cow  £20  ;  to  ye  Brindle  Cow  £20  ; 
to  a  Desperate  Debt  to  one  Note  of  hand  from  Stephen  Pot¬ 
ter  of  New  london  for  ye  sum  of  ;£ioo.  old  Tenor,  £100. 


38 


ms  TOXICAL  SKETCHES 


The  following  things  for  ye  Families  use  :  to  2  fat  hogs  £, 20  ; 
to  a  two  advantage  Heighfer  ^13  ;  to  6  Bushels  of  Corn  6  ; 
to  2  Bushels  of  Rye,  £5  ;  to  10  Bushels  of  oath  £5. 

Eleazer  Cady  )  A  .  „ 

James  Bradford  \  PPrizers 

From  Plainfield  District  Probate  Records ,  Vol.  A,  p.  13. 

During  a  recent  visit  to  Plainfield,  the  writer  was 
able  to  identify  approximately  the  location  of  the 
farms  where  the  Lawrences  lived.  They  were  in  the 
southerly  part  of  the  township,  in  the  broad  level 
valley  or  plain  from  which  the  name  of  the  district  is 
derived.  This  valley  is  bounded  on  either  side  by 
ranges  of  hills  dividing  Plainfield  from  Sterling  on  the 
east,  and  from  Canterbury  on  the  west.  Some  of 
the  descendants  of  Joseph  and  Daniel  Lawrence 
continued  to  reside  here  until  Revolutionary  times ; 
but  after  the  year  1793,  the  name  does  not  appear  on 
the  town  records. 

ENOSH  LAWRENCE 

(1649-1744),  the  seventh  son  of  John  of  Wisset,  Eng. 
was  born  in  Watertown.  He  married  the  widow 
Ruth  (Whitney)  Shattuck,1  March  6,  1676-7,  and  had 
four  sons.  Soon  after  his  marriage  he  removed  to 
Groton,  and  settled  in  the  north  part  of  the  town.  The 
exact  location  of  his  house  is  not  now  known.  He 
served  the  town  as  a  surveyor  of  highways,  tithing- 
man  and  fence-viewer.  He  was  also  chosen  a  “  hog 
constable”  in  1691.  In  the  year  1702  the  Provincial 
authorities  granted  him  immunity  from  taxation,  and  a 


1  Watertown  Records. 


OF  THE  LAWRENCE  FAMILY. 


39 


pension  of  three  pounds  sterling  yearly,  on  account  of 
physical  disability  contracted  in  an  encounter  with  the 
savages  during  King  William’s  war.  He  lived  to 
extreme  old  age. 

The  following  description  of  a  portion  of  his  real 
estate  is  from  the  third  volume  of  Groton  Land 
Records :  — 

“The  Lands  of  Enosh  Lawrence  :  (i)  His  houslot  Ninteen 
acres  mor  or  Lesse  Bounded  east  upon  his  own  medow  and 
on  all  other  poynts  by  the  high  wayes[;]  twelve  and  a  half  of 
this  land  he  had  of  his  Brother  Zachary  and  Seavin  acres  he 
had  of  his  Brother  Joseph  Lawrance.” 

Enosh  Lawrence  had  also  twenty-five  acres  “  near 
the  Silver  mine,”  ten  acres  at  Babbitasset,  and  three 
acres  and  a  half  in  Half-Moon  meadow.  ' 

NATHANIEL  LAWRENCE, 

The  oldest  son  of  Enosh,  and  grandson  of  John,  sen., 
was  born  in  Watertown,  Feb.  21,  1677-8.  He  married 
Anna  Scripture  about  the  year  1701,  and  had  a  large 
family.  In  the  Groton  records,  May  8,  1705,  he  is 
called  “sergeant.”  He  was  chosen  constable  in  1711, 
and  afterwards  served  as  surveyor  of  highways  and 
tithingman.  He  died  in  Groton  in  1765. 

CAPT.  JAMES  LAWRENCE 

(1704-1800),  the  second  son  of  Nathaniel,  and  grand¬ 
son  of  Enosh,  was  a  resident  of  Groton  West  Parish, 
and  was  chosen  one  of  the  standing  committee  of  the 


40 


HISTORICAL  SKETCHES 


parish  at  its  first  meeting  in  1742.  The  second  meet¬ 
ing  was  held  at  his  house.  In  1745  and  1746  he  served 
as  selectman.  He  attained  the  age  of  ninety-six  years. 

His  eldest  son,  James  Lawrence,  Jun.,  was  first  lieu¬ 
tenant  of  the  eighth  company  in  Col.  Eleazer  Brooks’ 
regiment  of  Middlesex  militia  in  1776,  and  his  young¬ 
est  son,  Capt.  Benjamin  Lawrence,  was  a  selectman 
of  Pepperell  in  1786  and  1787. 

ENSIGN  ENOSH  LAWRENCE, 

The  third  son  of  Nathaniel,  and  grandson  of  Enosh, 
was  born  in  Groton,  Nov.  15,  1710,  and  married  Sarah 
Stevens  Jan.  29,  1733-4.  He  lived  for  a  time,  accord¬ 
ing  to  Mr.  Butler,  in  what  is  now  the  village  of  East 
Pepperell,  and  his  house  was  sometimes  used  as  a  place 
of  worship  before  the  erection  of  a  church-building. 
In  the  year  1749  he  removed  to  Mason,  N.H. ;  and  we 
learn  from  a  report  of  a  committee  of  the  proprietors 
of  that  town,  that  in  November,  1753,  Enosh  Lawrence 
had  built  a  house  there.  In  July  next  ensuing  he  was 
chosen  one  of  a  committee  “  to  provide  preaching  as 
far  as  one  hundred  pounds  old  tenor  goes.”  The  first 
tax-list  of  Mason  is  dated  Jan.  28,  1769,  and  contains 
the  names  of  Ensign  Enosh  Lawrence,  his  sons  Sam¬ 
uel,  Richard,  and  Lieut.  Enosh,  jun.,  and  also  the  name 
of  Capt.  Amos  Lawrence  of  Groton,  the  father  of  Major 
Samuel.  Col.  William  Lawrence,  elder  brother  of 
Capt.  Amos,  had  a  house  and  barn  and  about  ten  acres 
of  cleared  land  in  Mason  as  early  as  the  year  1753.1 
Enosh  Lawrence  died  Sept.  28,  1778. 


1  Hill’s  History  of  Mason,  N.H. 


OF  THE  LAWRENCE  FAMILY. 


41 


ZECHARIAH,  Junior,  AND  JEREMIAH, 

Grandsons  of  Enosh  Lawrence,  sen.,  were  residents 
of  Groton  West  Parish,  afterwards  Pepperell,  and  were 
actively  engaged  in  the  public  business  of  the  town 
and  church.1  The  former  was  elected  “  one  of  the 
hog -men”  and  pound  -  keeper,  and  the  latter  was 
“  chosen  to  sustain  the  office  of  a  Deacon,”  Jan. 
11,  I747-8- 

LIEUT.  BENJAMIN  LAWRENCE,  Junior 

(1746-1824),  a  grandson  of  Nathaniel,  and  great- 
grandson  of  Enosh,  was  born  in  Groton,  and  in  1778 
married  Rebecca  Woods  of  Peppered.  Ten  years 
later  he  removed  to  Jaffrey,  N.H.,  where  he  settled 
in  the  vicinity  of  Thorndike  Pond,  north-east  of  the 
village,  on  a  homestead  now  or  recently  occupied  by  a 
great-grandson,  Frederick  J.  Lawrence. 

Lieut.  Benjamin  Lawrence  was  a  soldier  of  the 
Revolution.  He  is  described  as  a  strong  man,  bodily 
and  mentally,  and  a  successful  farmer.  He  built  and 
owned  one  of  the  first  cider-mills  in  the  neighborhood. 
Before  the  construction  of  these  mills,  cider  was  made 
by  pounding  the  apples  in  a  wooden  mortar,  and  press¬ 
ing  them  in  a  cheese-press.  His  ten  children  ad  lived 
to  mature  age,  and  most  of  them  had  families.  His 
second  son  Artemas  was  a  blacksmith  in  Jaffrey,  and 
a  member  of  the  company  which  built  the  Cheshire 
factory.  His  son  Moody  Lawrence  was  an  “  inn¬ 
keeper,  auctioneer,  sexton,  and  deputy-sheriff.”  2 

1  See  Butler’s  History,  pp.  305  and  317. 

2  The  above  information  concerning  the  Lawrences  of  Jaffrey,  N.IL,  has  been 
derived  chiefly  from  a  history  of  that  town  written  by  Daniel  B.  Cutter,  M.D. 


42 


HISTORICAL  SKETCHES 


CAPT.  DANIEL  LAWRENCE, 

The  second  son  of  Enosh,  was  born  in  Groton,  Mass., 

March  7,  1681,  and  married  Sarah - about  the  year 

1701.  He  and  his  wife  “owned  the  baptismal  cove¬ 
nant,”  Oct.  5,  1707,  and  shortly  thereafter  removed  to 
Plainfield,  Conn.,  with  their  sons,  Daniel,  jun.,  Isaac, 
and  Jeremiah.  A  daughter  Sarah  was  born  Oct.  7, 
1709.  Mrs.  Sarah  Lawrence  died  Jan.  26,  1711-12, 
and  he  married  Hannah  Jewell  Nov.  5,  1712,  by  whom 
he  had  two  sons  (Gideon  and  Nathaniel),  and  three 
daughters  (Mary,  Hannah,  and  Ruth).  Mrs.  Hannah 
Lawrence  died  after  the  year  1720,  and  Daniel  Lawrence 
married  for  his  third  wife  Sarah  Williams,  March  4, 
1724-5,  and  had  two  sons  (John  and  Asa),  and  five 
daughters  (Elizabeth,  Annie,  Hester,  Ellis,  and  Eunice). 
At  a  town-meeting  in  Plainfield,  Dec.  27,  1709,  Daniel 
Lawrence  was  chosen  a  “  sirvayor  of  highways,”  and 
“  Liberty  was  granted  to  him  to  voat  in  Town  meet¬ 
ings.”  On  Sept.  22,  1720,  he  was  a  member  of  a 
committee  chosen  — 

“To  seat  the  meating  house  as  followeth,  viz:  To  place 
ye  Antiens  men  according  to  there  age  and  there  wives 
equall ;  and  seat  the  Rest  according  to  there  estats  and 
according  to  what  they  have  paid  to  the  buelding  sd 
house.” 

Daniel  Lawrence  served  as  selectman  of  Plainfield 
fifteen  years,  his  first  term  of  service  being  in  1716. 
In  1723  he.  was  a  deputy  from  Plainfield  to  the 
“  General  Assembly  at  Hartford”  (Colonial  records  of 
Connecticut,  vol.  vi.).  In  1729  he  was  charged  with 


OF  THE  LAWRENCE  FAMILY. 


43 


the  duty  of  removing  “  all  Incumbrances  on  ye  publick 
Rhoads  In  this  Town.”  He  was  called  “  sergeant”  at 
this  time,  and  in  1735  he  received  the  title  of  “  captain.’ 
On  Jan.  4  he  purchased  from  the  State  of  Connecticut 
a  right  or  share  in  the  new  township  of  Canaan  (see 
Appendix,  No.  17),  and  sold  it  at  a  profit  to  David 
Whitney  some  weeks  afterwards.  In  the  Plainfield 
Land  Grants  is  recorded  the  sale,  Dec.  4,  1738,  of  a 
piece  of  land  by  Daniel  Lawrence  (jun.)  of  Canaan  to 
Capt.  Daniel  Lawrence  of  Plainfield.  It  is  certain 
that  the  latter  did  not  permanently  settle  in  Canaan 
until  several  years  after  the  removal  thither  of  his  sons 
Daniel,  junfi  and  Isaac.  In  December,  1740,  Capt. 
Lawrence  was  chosen  moderator  of  a  town-meeting  in 
Plainfield,  and  in  the  same  month  of  the  next  year  he 
was  chosen  a  surveyor  of  highways  there.  Probably 
in  the  latter  part  of  1742  he  removed  to  Canaan,  and 
in  January,  1743,  he  was  admitted  a  member  of  the 
First  Church  in  that  town,  together  with  his  wife 
and  daughter  Elizabeth.  On  Dec.  4,  1744,  he  was 
admitted  a  “Town  Inhabitant”  of  Canaan,  and 
continued  to  reside  there  for  many  years.  He  died 
May  8,  1 777,  aged  ninety-six  years. 


DANIEL  LAWRENCE,  Junior, 

The  eldest  son  of  Capt.  Daniel,  and  grandson  of  Enosh, 
was  born  in  Groton,  Mass.,  April  22,  1702,  and  married 
in  Plainfield,  Conn.,  May  31,  1725,  Rachel  Kingsbury. 
The  fruits  of  this  marriage  were  three  sons  (Nathaniel, 
Gideon,  and  Rufus)  and  five  daughters  (Rachel,  Sibyl, 
Sarah,  Lois,  and  Esther).  Daniel  Lawrence,  jun.,  was 


44 


HISTORICAL  SKETCHES 


accorded  the  privilege  of  voting  at  town-meetings  in 
Plainfield  in  the  year  1730.  The  records  of  the 
proprietors  of  Canaan  show  that  he  bought  an  allot¬ 
ment  of  land  in  that  township  at  the  State  auction  sale 
at  New  London,  Jan.  4,  1738,  paying  therefor  ^145.1^. 
sterling ;  and  from  the  land  records  of  Plainfield  it 
appears  that  he  left  that  town  and  went  to  Canaan  the 
same  year.  It  is  very  probable  that  he  accompanied 
his  brother  Isaac  and  family  in  the  month  of  May. 
He  was  certainly  one  of  the  early  settlers  of  Canaan  ; 
and  in  May,  1739,  he  was  one  of  several  citizens  who 
were  intrusted  by  the  proprietors  with  ^50.  “  to  pay 
for  preaching  the  Gospel  to  the  people  of  Canaan  in 
the  present  year.”  At  the  first  town-meeting  there 
of  which  any  record  exists,  held  in  January,  1740,  the 
following  business  was  transacted  :  — 

“Voted  at  y  esame  meeting  Josiah  Matherfi]  Benjamin 
Kellogg  and  Daniel  Lawrence  are  Chosen  a  Comity  to  agree 
with  John  hart  to  fit  his  house  conven[i]ent  to  meet  in  on 
the  Lords  Day.” 

At  a  meeting  held  Dec.  2  of  the  same  year,  it  was 
voted  — 

“  That  Christopher  Dutcher  &  Augustian  Bryan  &  Daniel 
Lawrence  shall  be  survayers  of  the  Highways  and  sworn.” 

Again,  on  March  13,  1741,  it  was  — 

“  Also  now  voated  that  their  shall  be  a  meating  hous 
bu[i]lt  for  the  worship  of  god[,]  35  foot  in  length  and  30  foot 
in  wedth  the  posts  for  said  hous  18  foot  in  Length.  Also 
then  voated  that  Cap*  David  Whitney  and  Samuell  Prindell 


OF  THE  LAWRENCE  FAMILY. 


45 


and  Jeams  Beebe  &  Daniel  Lawrence  &  Silas  Belding  shall 
be  a  Commity  to  take  Care  to  see  sd  meating  hous  Bu[i]lt 
and  finished  and  that  upon  the  cost  and  charge  of  said 
town.” 

Daniel  Lawrence,  jun.,  was  chosen  selectman  in 
December  of  the  same  year,  and  was  nine  times 
re-elected  previous  to  1767.  He  also  served  a  term 
as  constable  and  collector.  At  a  town-meeting,  Jan. 
22,  1744,  of  which  “Left  Daniel  Lawrence”  was 
moderator,  he  was  chosen,  with  others,  a  committee 
“  to  Lease  out  our  parsonage  right  of  Land  in  this 
town.” 

Daniel  Lawrence,  jun.,  died  in  Sheffield,  Mass.,  Jan. 
27,  1790,  aged  eighty-seven  years. 


CAPT.  ISAAC  LAWRENCE, 

The  second  son  of  Capt.  Daniel,  and  grandson  of 
Enosh,  was  born  in  Groton,  Mass.,  Feb.  25,  1704-5, 
and  was  baptized  there  Nov.  25,  1705,  by  the  Rev. 
John  Hancock  of  Lexington. 

While  yet  a  young  child,  he  went  with  his  parents 
to  Plainfield,  Conn.  He  married  there,  Dec.  19,  1727, 
Lydia  Hewitt;  and  four  of  their  eleven  children  (Jonas, 
Azubah,  Stephen,  and  Isaac,  jun.)  were  born  in  that 
town.  He  was  granted  the  liberty  of  voting  in  town 
affairs  Dec.  3,  1730,  and  the  same  year  was  chosen  a 
surveyor  of  highways.  At  the  New-London  auction 
sale,  Jan.  4,  1738,  elsewhere  mentioned,  he  purchased 
three  shares,  or  rights,  in  the  township  of  Canaan. 
In  the  late  spring  of  that  year  he  left  Plainfield  and 
journeyed  westward,  taking  with  him  the  members  of 


46 


HISTORICAL  SKETCHES 


his  family  and  their  household  effects,  and  travelling 
in  a  covered  wagon  drawn  by  a  yoke  of  oxen  and  a 
horse.  The  distance  traversed  was  about  eighty  miles, 
and  the  last  third  of  their  route  lay  through  the 
primeval  forest. 

On  arriving,  on  the  second  day  of  June,  at  Canaan, 
which  was  to  them  the  “  land  of  promise,”  they 
encamped  for  a  few  days  and  nights,  their  wagon 
meanwhile  serving  as  a  house. 

“  Soon  afterwards  he  dug  a  hole  in  the  side  of  a 
hill,  and  with  some  crotches,  poles,  and  boards  made 
a  temporary  shelter,  half  under  ground,  in  which  they 
lived  till  the  next  spring.”  1  He  then  built  a  house, 
which  was  their  home  for  some  twelve  years.  “  In 
1751  he  built  the  house  which  has  long  been  known 
as  the  Lawrence  Tavern,  which  he  occupied  till  about 
1786.”  Both  Isaac  Lawrence  and  his  brother  Daniel 
were  large  investors  in  real  estate,  and  in  the  early 
land  records  of  Canaan  are  found  copies  of  numerous 
deeds  in  which  their  names  appear. 

On  May  2,  1739,  Isaac  was  appointed  collector  of 
the  first  tax  voted  by  the  proprietors.  At  a  town¬ 
meeting  held  in  January,  1740,  it  was  voted  that  — 

“For  ye  future  till  May  next  ye  meeting  on  ye  Lords  Day 
shall  be  one  Day  at  ye  house  of  Isaac  Lawrences  and  the 
other  Day  at  ye  house  of  Abraham  Holinbides  or  Jacob 
Bacons  as  the  peopel  shall  agree  with  them.” 

Again,  Oct.  13,  1748,  Isaac  Lawrence  was  appointed 
one  of  a  committee  “  to  git  glass  for  ye  meeting  hous 

1  Genealogy  of  the  Ancestors  and  Posterity  of  Isaac  Lawrence.  By  Frederick 
S.  Pease.  Albany,  N.Y.,  1852. 


OF  THE  LAWRENCE  FAMILY. 


47 


and  to  put  up  ye  same  and  to  bring  in  their  acounts 
to  ye  Town.” 

On  the  28th  of  the  same  month,  he  was  commis¬ 
sioned  ensign  of  the  “Train  Band  of  Canaan,”  and 
was  afterward  promoted  to  the  rank  of  captain  in  the 
militia.  He  served  the  town  as  selectman  seventeen 
years.  He  was  also  a  deputy  to  the  General  Assembly 
of  Connecticut  in  1765.  Capt.  Isaac  Lawrence  was 
one  of  the  founders  of  the  second  church  of  Canaan, 
which  was  formed  in  1769  in  the  north-eastern  part  of 
the  township.  He  was  a  member  of  the  first  stand¬ 
ing  committee  appointed  when  the  new  church  was 
organized. 

Mrs.  Lydia  Lawrence  died  Nov.  14,  1765  ;  and  he 
married,  late  in  life,  Mrs.  Amy  Whitney,  who  survived 
him.  He  died  Dec.  2,  1793,  aged  eighty-eight  years. 

Many  of  his  descendants  continue  to  reside  in 
Canaan. 

From  the  records  of  the  Probate  Court  for  the 
District  of  Sharon,  Conn.,  it  appears  that  the  will 
of  Capt.  Isaac  Lawrence  was  proved  Jan.  11,  1794; 
and  John  Adams  and  Josiah  Lawrence  were  appointed 
executors.  In  addition  to  numerous  bequests  of 
specific  articles,  he  gave  his  widow  the  use  of  certain 
real  estate.  The  bulk  of  his  property  was  divided 
among  his  children  and  grandchildren.  Of  the  latter, 
the  four  younger  sons  of  his  son  Jonas  are  mentioned. 
Their  names  were  Abel,  Josiah,  Billy  (whose  .name 
was  afterwards  changed  to  William),  and  Consider. 


48 


HISTORICAL  SKETCHES 


ISAAC  LAWRENCE,  Junior, 

The  third  son  of  Isaac,  and  grandson  of  Daniel,  sen., 
was  born  in  Plainfield,  Conn.,  March  5,  1737.  In 
his  infancy  his  parents  removed  to  Canaan,  Conn., 
and  there,  March  18,  1760,  he  married  Mary  Brown. 
Just  previous  to  the  Revolutionary  war,  he  went  with 
his  family  to  Hinesburg,  Chittenden  County,  Vt. 

On  the  commencement  of  hostilities,  he  left  Ver¬ 
mont,  and  during  the  war  probably  lived  again  at 
Canaan,  where  his  children,  all  but  one,  were  born ; 
but,  the  war  being  ended,  he  again  took  up  his 
residence  in  Hinesburg. 

In  the  Vermont  Historical  Gazetteer  (October,  1867) 
we  find  the  following  :  — 

“The  only  settlers  known  to  have  resided  in  Hinesburg 
previous  to  the  Revolution  were  Isaac  Lawrence  from  Canaan, 
Conn.,  and  Abner  Chaffee.  The  family  of  Isaac  Lawrence 
endured  some  of  the  severest  hardships,  so  well  known  to 
the  first  inhabitants  of  Vermont.  Mrs.  Lawrence  has  said 
that  she  lived  ten  months  without  seeing  the  face  of  any 
other  woman  ;  and  that  for  a  while  one  season  the  only  food 
used  by  the  family  was  dried  pumpkins,  with  the  little  mouldy 
flour  the  children  scraped  from  the  inside  of  a  barrel  that  had 
been  wet.” 

In  1793  Isaac  Lawrence  removed  to  Shefford  County, 
Province  of  Quebec,  about  twenty-five  miles  north  of 
the  Vermont  border. 


OF  THE  LAWRENCE  FAMILY. 


49 


ISAAC  LAWRENCE, 

A  son  of  John  of  Wisset,  Eng.,  was  born  in  Watertown 
about  the  year  1658,  and  married  Abigail  Bellows 
April  19,  1682.  They  probably  lived  in  Groton  for  a 
while.  Afterwards  they  removed  to  Norwich,  Conn. 
The  early  church  records  in  that  town  contain  the 
following :  — 

“Isaac  Lawrence,  a  son  of  John  Lawrence  of  Watertown 
and  Groton,  publicldy  owned  ye  Covenant  of  Grace  at  the 
First  Church  of  Norwich,  Conn,  in  1700  and  was  Received 
into  full  Communion  in  1702.” 

He  was  one  of  the  seven  original  members  forming 
(Dec.  10,  1723)  the  Third  Ecclesiastical  Society  of 
Norwich.1  His  death  occurred  April  19,  1731,  at  the 
age  of  seventy-three  years.  His  wife  Abigail  died 
Sept.  13,  1726,  aged  sixty-three  years.2 


LIEUT.  JONATHAN  LAWRENCE 

(1657-1729),  the  tenth  son  of  John  Lawrence,  sen., 
was  a  resident  of  Groton,  and  held  various  town  offices, 
including  that  of  selectman  for  two  years.  He  enlisted 
as  a  soldier,  and  was  a  sergeant  in  1699.3  In  1702  he 

1  History  of  Norwich,  Conn.  By  Miss  F.  M.  Caulkins. 

2  For  genealogical  data  relating  to  the  descendants  of  Isaac  Lawrence,  see 
New  England  Hist.  Gen.  Register,  vol.  xl.  1S86. 

3  It  is  quite  possible  that  his  military  experience  began  in  his  youth  during 
King  Philip’s  war;  for  in  the  Mass.  Revol.  Muster  Rolls,  vol.  lxviii.  p.  79, 
we  find  the  name  of  Jonathan  Lawrence  in  “  a  Lyst  of  the  souldiers  Impresed  for 
the  Country  Service  in  the  foot  Company  in  Cambridge  on  the  North  Side  of 
the  riuer,”  dated  Nov.  26,  1675.  He  is  supposed  to  have  married  a  Cambridge 
lady  in  1677,  and  his  name  does  not  appear  on  the  Groton  records  previous 
to  1680. 


5° 


HISTORICAL  SKETCHES 


was  appointed  lieutenant ;  and  his  commission,  with 
the  signature  of  Gov.  Dudley,  is  now  the  property  of 
Amory  A.  Lawrence,  Esq.  The  document  reads  as 
follows :  — 


SEAL. 


“Joseph  Dudley  Esqr:  Captain  General  and  Governour  in 
Chief  in  and  over  Her  MaTrs  Province  of  the  Massachusetts 
Bay  in  New  England  in  America.  To  Jonathan  Lawrence 
Gent  Greeting.  By  virtue  of  the  power  and  authority  in  and 
by  Her  MaAs  Royal  Commission  to  me  granted.  I  do  by 
these  presents  constitute  and  appoint  you  to  be  Lieutenant  of 
the  Foot  Company  of  Militia  in  ye  Town  of  Groton  in  ye 
County  of  Middx.  whereof  Jonas  Prescot  Gent  is  Captain. 
You  are  therefore  carefully  and  diligently  to  perform  the  duty 
of  a  Lieutenant  by  ordering  and  exercising  the  sd.  Company 
in  arms  both  Inferiour  officers  and  souldiers,  And  to  keep 
them  in  good  order  and  Discipline.  Hereby  Commanding 
them  to  obey  you  as  their  Lieutenant  And  your  selfe  to 
observe  and  follow  such  orders  and  Directions  as  you  shall 
receive  from  your  sd.  Captain  or  other  your  Superiour  Officers 
according  to  the  rules  and  Discipline  of  War  [illegible]  to 
the  Trust  reposed  in  you.  Given  under  my  hand  and  seal  at 
armes  at  Boston  the  Twenty  eighth  day  of  August  In  the 
first  year  of  the  Reign  of  our  Soveraign  Lady  Anne  by  the 
Grace  of  God  of  England  Scotland  France  and  Ireland 
Queen  Defender  of  the  Faith  &c.  annoq :  Domini  1702. 


By  his  Excelpy®,  Comand 

Is®.  Addington  secry.” 


J  Dudley 


In  the  lower  right-hand  corner  of  the  commission  is 
the  following :  — 


OF  THE  LAWRENCE  FAMILY. 


51 


“  Brookline,  March  1,  1875. 

To  Amory  Appleton  Laurence :  This  Commission  was 
given  by  Gov.  Dudley  to  Jonathan  Lawrence  of  Groton,  and 
he  was  your  great,  great,  great,  great,  great  uncle. 

Your  affectionate  father, 

Amos  A.  Lawrence.” 


Lieut.  Jonathan  Lawrence  was  serving  in  a  garrison 
in  Groton  in  1711.  In  his  will  he  made  liberal  be¬ 
quests  to  the  church  and  town.  From  his  inventory, 
dated  Dec.  23,  1729,  we  quote  these  items:  — 

“Dark  Coloured  wolen  coat  £1,  15s;  one  [cor]Duroy 
coat,  »  Gray  all  wolen  Jacott  £\  ;  Another  old  Jacott  6s  ; 
Britches  13s;  shirts  9s;  puter  14s;  Tinn  pots  9d ;  andirons, 
tongs  and  fire  shouel,  Tramil  and  hooks,  £1,  4s;  Iron  poot, 
15s;  Iron  skillets,  3s;  one  Gunn,  £1.” 


NATHANIEL  LAWRENCE,  Junior 

(1661-1736),  the  oldest  child  of  Deacon  Nathaniel, 
was  three  times  married,1  and  lived  in  Groton  probably 
untill  after  1696.  He  afterwards  resided  in  Charles¬ 
town  and  Medford.  He  was  one  of  the  executors  of 
his  father’s  will. 

Bond  says  in  his  history  of  Watertown  :  — 

“There  is  much  obscurity  and  much  left  to  conjecture 
about  his  family.  He  is  supposed  to  be  the  Nathaniel  Law¬ 
rence,  a  bricklayer,  of  Medford  in  1724.”  ;  '"'.‘"-"V ‘ 

1  It  is  certain  that  he  was  first  married  as  early  as  1695,  and  that  his  first 
wife’s  name  was  Hannah  or  Anna. 


52 


HISTORICAL  SKETCHES 


The  inventory  of  his  estate  seems  to  merit  a  place 
here  by  reason  of  its  unique  spelling :  — 

“  The  Inuentrery  of  ye  Estate  of  Nath11  Lawrance,  late 
of  Medford,  Decesed,  taken  by  us  the  Subscribers  and 
aprised. 

Wobrone  [Woburn]  July  the  n:  1737. 

To  a  feather  bed  and  furntuer  .  .  jQ 9  .  .  S7  .  .  d9 


to  Puter  ....... 

2  . 

.  4  . 

.  0 

to  Books  ....... 

1  . 

.  0  . 

.  0 

to  3  Plear  [pillow]  Casis  &  to  two  napkins 
&  one  table  clouth  .... 

1  . 

.  0  . 

.  0 

to  a  Smole  Brase  Kitell  .... 

0  . 

.  10  . 

.  0 

to  tramell  &  tongs  ..... 

0  . 

•  13  • 

.  0 

to  a  Brass  candell  stick  .... 

0  . 

.  6  . 

.  0 

to  a  Duzen  of  wooden  plates  and  arthen 
whear  [ware] ...... 

0  . 

.  4  • 

.  6 

to  a  male  peelion  [pillion]  &  old  sadele 

0  . 

.  8  . 

.  0 

to  a  old  gun  ...... 

1  . 

.  10  . 

.  0 

to  a  feching  [fishing]  line 

0  . 

•  3  • 

.  0 

to  two  old  whells  [wheels] 

0  . 

.  6  . 

.  0 

to  a  old  feefe  [fife  ?]  . 

0  . 

.  2  . 

.  0 

to  wooden  whear  ..... 

0  . 

.  6  . 

.  0 

to  a  old  hamer  ...... 

0  . 

1  . 

.  6 

to  two  old  poudering  tubs  &  one  tube 
and  pale  ...... 

0  . 

•  7  ■ 

.  0 

;£i8  .  .  S8  .  .  d9 

Rail  Estate  lands  lying  in  Attellbury 
by  Information  being  forty  or  fifty 
acres  woath  ......  85 

£103  .  .  o  .  .  o 

Jonathan  Hall  \ 

John  Willis  !  Com.ett” 

Joseph  Tufts  ) 


OF  THE  LAWRENCE  FAMILY. 


53 


JOHN  LAWRENCE, 

The  second  son  of  Nathaniel,  and  grandson  of  John 
of  Wisset,  Eng.,  was  born  in  Groton,  July  29,  1667. 
His  grandfather,  John,  had  died  early  in  the  same 
month,  and  his  father  was  then  living  at  the  paternal 
homestead  near  Gibbet  Hill.  The  first  notice  of 
interest  which  we  have  concerning  this  John  Law¬ 
rence  is  the  record  of  his  marriage  in  Groton,  Nov. 
9,  1687,  to  Hannah  Tarbell,  the  ceremony  being 
performed  by  the  Rev.  Gershom  Hobart. 

In  June,  1691,  his  name  appears  as  one  of  eleven 
citizens  who  dissented  from  a  vote  of  the  town  in 
regard  to  the  terms  of  payment  of  the  minister’s 
salary,  “  viz  :  aighty  pounds  pur  year  and  so  yearly,” 
one-fourth  part  in  money,  and  the  other  three  parts 
in  provisions,  and  forty  cords  of  wood.  In  1693, 
John  Lawrence  removed  his  residence  to  that  portion 
of  Cambridge  known  as  the  “  Farms,”  which  had 
shortly  before  been  constituted  a  distinct  parish  or 
precinct,  and  which  twenty  years  later  was  incorporated 
as  the  town  of  Lexington.  The  estate  purchased  by 
him  was  situated  on  the  north-western  border  of  the 
precinct,  on  the  edge  of  Tophet  Swamp,  so  called, 
near  what  was  then  the  Billerica  line.  The  locality 
was  at  that  time  called  “  the  world’s  end.”  It  is  easy 
to  imagine  the  motives  which  may  have  influenced 
Nathaniel  and  John  Lawrence  in  leaving  Groton  at 
about  this  time.  King  William’s  war  had  begun,  and 
the  frontier  towns  were  again  exposed  to  the  attacks 
of  the  cruel  savages. 


54 


HISTORICAL  SKETCHES 


It  was  most  natural,  therefore,  that  our  ancestors 
should  wish  to  provide  for  their  families  homes  more 
secure.  The  wonder  is  rather  that  so  many  remained 
where  danger  constantly  threatened.  The  privations 
and  hardships  of  early  Colonial  and  Provincial  days 
tended  to  develop  the  rugged  traits  of  the  Anglo- 
Saxon  character,  promoting  self-reliance.  As  in  all 
pioneer  enterprises,  their  circumstances  often  required 
them  to  fill  new  and  hitherto  unfamiliar  positions. 

John  Lawrence,  who  came  from  Groton  to  Cam¬ 
bridge  Farms  at  the  age  of  twenty-five,  could  have 
had  but  meagre  facilities  for  obtaining  an  education, 
for  it  does  not  appear  certain  that  there  was  any 
school  in  the  former  place  until  after  this  time.  But 
he  had  sterling  qualities,  as  his  future  career  showed  ; 
and  among  his  gifts  we  may  reckon  versatility,  for  we 
find  him  described  in  various  deeds  and  legal  papers, 
as  a  planter,  husbandman,  weaver,  yeoman,  black¬ 
smith,  and  farmer.  From  the  assessors’  books  we 
learn  that  he  paid  in  1694  a  tax  of  6^.  1  id.  ;  this  being 
his  proportion  of  the  “  Rate  made  for  the  payment  of 
the  minester,  to  be  payd  half  mony  and  the  other  half 
being  twenty  pounds  in  comon  pay  as  mony.”  In 
the  same  year  he  also  contributed  17  s.  4 d.  towards  the 
expense  of  building  the  minister’s  house.  He  was 
the  father  of  ten  children,  of  whom  eight  were  born 
in  Lexington.  His  family  register1  is  in  the  writer’s 
possession.  Yellow  with  age  and  dilapidated,  it 
appears  to  have  been  written  on  the  fly-leaf  of  a  large 
Bible  ;  and  the  handwriting  is  his  own,  as  appears 
on  comparing  it  with  his  signature  at  the  Middlesex 
probate  office.  In  the  records  of  the  First  Parish, 

1  See  Appendix,  No.  9. 


OF  THE  LAWRENCE  FAMILY. 


55 


under  date  of  Feb.  i,  1699,  being  the  second  year  of 
the  ministry  of  the  Rev.  John  Hancock,  is  this  entry  : 
“  Receaved  than  Into  the  Communion  of  this  church 
John  Lawrence  and  his  wife.”  The  Lexington  Histor¬ 
ical  Society,  at  this  writing  just  two  years  old,  has  in 
its  possession  a  “  Muster-Roll  of  the  Company  in  Her 
Majesties  service  under  the  command  of  William 
Read,  Captain,  viz;  foot  Souldiers.”  This  roll  has  the 
names  of  Seth  Wayman  of  Woburn,  lieutenant ;  and 
John  Lawrence  of  Cambridge,  “Clark;”  and  thirty- 
three  non-commissioned  officers  and  men,  the  greater 
number  hailing  from  Cambridge  Farms,  and  the 
remainder  from  Woburn,  Concord,  Billerica,  and 
Watertown.  This  company  was  in  service  for  one 
week  from  April  12.  The  year  is  not  given,  but 
we  may  fix  it  approximately.  It  was  prior  to  the 
incorporation  of  Lexington,  and  during  Queen  Anne’s 
reign  (1702-14).  Sergt.  Joseph  Bowman,  whose 
name  is  fourth  on  the  list,  was  an  ensign  in  1711. 
The  roll  therefore  antedates  that  year.  It  appears  to 
have  been  filled  out  by  the  clerk,  John  Lawrence,  who 
received  a  sergeant’s  pay,  nine  shillings,  for  his  week’s 
service.  A  foot-note  gives  the  information  that  the 
company  “  subsisted  themselves.” 

Although  the  precinct  of  Cambridge  Farms  was 
never  actually  attacked  by  Indians,  the  early  settlers 
were  at  times  apprehensive  of  such  an  event,  and 
had  adopted  precautionary  measures.  Capt.  Read’s 
company  had  probably  been  for  this  reason  on  a 
reconnoitring  expedition  on  the  frontier. 

In  an  original  manuscript  in  the  library  of  Harvard 
College  are  recorded  the  transactions  of  a  committee 


56 


HISTORICAL  SKETCHES 


of  five  persons  appointed  by  the  General  Court,  Dec. 
7,  1719,  to  allot  the  land  in  two  new  towns,  which 
were  afterwards  incorporated  as  Townsend  and  Lunen¬ 
burg.  This  committee  met  at  Concord,  Mass.,  on 
May  11,  1720,  “and  accordingly  Proceeded  to  Grant 
out  sd  Land  to  ye  Pe[r]sons  whose  Names  are  under 
written  on  ye  other  Sides.”  Then  follows  a  list  of 
the  names  of  the  original  proprietors  of  the  “  North 
Town,”  or  Townsend,  and  among  them  we  find  that 
of  “  John  Lawrence  of  Lexington.”1 

Some  verbatim  extracts  from  the  town  records  are 
here  given  :  — 


“  Att  a  Publique  metting  a[t]  Cambridge  harms  :  March  : 
ye :  2d :  17012:  There  was  Chosen  to  the  ofice  of  a  con- 
stablle  :  Thomas  Bloggitte  : 


ware  chosen  assesers 


Robert  Meriam  : 

Jn° :  Laurenc : 

&  Isacke  Stearns 

“It  was  allso  votted  that  Joseph  Lock:  Jn°  Laurence: 
John  Mason  &  Jonathan  Poullter:  be  requested  to  take  sum 
pruddent  Care  that  the  Chilldren  &  youth  may  nott  play  at 
metting  :  and  thareby  Profane  the  Lords  Day  :  ” 

“Att  a  Publique  metting  of  the  Inhabitants  of  Cambridge 


harms  march 
a  constabll 


y e :  4th  1705?  there  was  Chosen  to  the  office  of 


John  Lawrenc  : 


“  march  :  :  ye  :  6th  :  1710 

“  It  was  allso  agr[e]ed  y4  Jn°  :  Laurence  &  Jn°  poullter  take 
care  of  the  claye  ground  next  them  belonging  to  the  Precinct : 
that  none  of  it  be  Caryed  out  of  precinct :” 

“Att  a  Publique  metting  of  thise  Precinct  march  the 
third  :  171 112  : 


1  Sawtelle’s  History  of  Townsend. 


OF  THE  LAWRENCE  FAMILY. 


57 


it  was  votted  that  ensigne  Simonds  &  mr  Jn°  :  Laurence  be  a 
committee  to  Inquier  who  want  high  waies  In  this  Precinct: 
and  to  make  Inquiery  aboutt  the  Range  waies  and  iff  anye  be 
wanting  then  to  petetion  the  town  for  them  and  if  the  town 
neglect  to  hear  and  determin  the  thinge  that  is  most  reson- 
ablle :  in  that  afaier  then  to  procecutte  the  matter  to  the 
Courte  or  Courts :  till  it  be  efected  :  and  the  precinct  are 
agreed  to  reimburse  the  monye  that  thaye  shall  spend  In 
procecutting  of  the  same  :  ” 

“  Att  a  Publique  Mettingat  Lexington  March  ye  30th  1713  : 

“It  was  further  agreed  and  votted  Thomas  Bloggitt  John 
Poullter  &  John  Larance  be  a  Comittee  to  take  care  of  ye 
claye  Ground  at  Shaws  Farme  to  find  out  ye  Bounds  of  it  and 
to  cover  it  from  being  Caried  out  of  Town  either  in  Clay  or 
Brickes.’.’ 

In  recorded  deeds  of  about  this  date,  “  Shaw’s 
Ffarme”  is  bounded  as  follows  :  “  West  by  John  Law- 
rance,  north-west  by  ye  churches  ffarm,  north-east  by 
Joseph  Tidd  and  south  by  Samuel  Lock’s  medow  and 
Benjamin  Simonds.”  This  location  is  on  the  northerly 
edge  of  Tophet  Swamp. 

“At  a  meeting  of  the  Inhabitants  of  Lexington  orderly 
convened  to  acte  in  town  affairs  the  19  :  of  may:  1716,  Voted 
that :  mr  John  Larrans  mr  Joseph  Brown  and  mr  Daniel  Hoar 
Be  a  committee  to  provid  a  schoolmaster  for  the  Town  as 
ye  Law  directs.” 

A  few  days  before  the  choice  of  the  above  commit¬ 
tee,  the  town  had  voted  that  “  all  scollers  that  cume  to 
school  [are]  to  pai  too  pens  per  week  for  reeding  and 
3  pens  per  week  for  righting  and  siphering.”  At  the 
first  session  of  the  general  court  under  the  Provincial 
charter  in  1692,  an  Act  had  been  passed  providing  that 


53 


HISTORICAL  SKETCHES 


families  neglecting  for  one  year  to  provide  for  the 
support  of  a  schoolmaster  should  pay  a  fine  of  ten 
pounds  sterling. 

“  At  a  meeting  of  the  Inhabitants  of  Lexington  orderly 
convened  to  act  In  Town  affairs  the :  25  of  march  :  1716 :  17 
mr  John  Lauranc  Being  Chosen  modarator  :  then  was  Chosen 
for  selectmen  :  Ll  Francis  Bowman  Capt  Joseph  Eastebrook 
Joseph  Bowman  Joseph  Fassett  and  mr  John  Lawranc 

“At  a  meeting  of  ye  Select  men  of  Lexington  june  24: 
1717.  Thomas  Paul  appeared  before  ye  Select  men;  being 
in  want  of  necessary  subsistance,  &  desired  sum  Releif,  ye 
Select  men  ordered  John  Lawrance  one  of  [ye]  Select  men ; 
to  Releive  him  until  furder  order.” 

“At  a  meeting  of  ye  Selectmen  of  Lexington  held  July 
21  :  1717,  then  agreed  that  Clerk  Lawrance’s  wife,  and 
Ephraim  Winship’s  wife  keep  schools  from  ye  day  of  ye  date 
hereof  until  ye  last  day  of  October  next  following :  and  if 
they  have  not  Scholers  sufficient  as  to  number  to  amount  to 
5  shillings  a  week,  at  3  pence  a  Scholer  a  week,  Dureing  the 
term  above  sd  ;  then  ye  Town  to  make  up  what  shall  be  want¬ 
ing  of  ye  5  shillings  a  week  as  above  expressed  out  of  Treas¬ 
ury  thereof ;  provided  ye  sd  select  men  do  not  see  cause  to 
demolish  sd  schoole  before  sd  term  be  expired.” 

The  wife  of  John  Lawrence  was  the  second  child  of 
Thomas  Tarbell,  jun.,  of  Groton,  and  was  born  June 
10,  1670.  It  is  probable  that  she  was  a  woman  of 
superior  attainments  for  those  times,  and  doubtless 
her  elder  sons  received  in  their  youth  only  such 
instruction  as  she  could  give  them.  For  when  they 
were  children,  there  were  no  schools  at  Cambridge 
Farms.  But  that  they  were  well  grounded  by  her  in 
things  essential,  we  may  infer  from  their  subsequent 
fitness  for  positions  of  responsibility. 


OF  THE  LAWRENCE  FAMILY. 


59 


The  first  schoolhouse  in  Lexington  was  built  on  thfe 
Common  in  1 714.1  Then,  to  accommodate  the  children 
living  at  a  distance  from  the  centre,  the  two  schools 
above-mentioned  were  established  in  the  outskirts. 

In  those  days  there  was  no  uniform  standard  of 
spelling,  and  correspondence  was  not  freely  indulged 
in.  All  writing-paper  had  to  be  imported  from  the 
mother  country,  and  was  therefore  expensive,  and  the 
only  means  of  sending  letters  was  by  special  mes¬ 
senger.  In  the  country  towns  there  were  but  very 
few  books,  and  but  little  opportunity  for  the  cultivation 
of  a  literary  taste.2  In  Boston,  however,  there  was  a 
public  library  as  early  as  the  year  1673,  and  in  1686 
there  were  no  less  than  eight  book-stores  in  the  town. 
The  farmers  obtained  intelligence  from  abroad  chiefly 
through  “  The  Boston  News-Letter,”  which  was  the 
only  newspaper  published  in  America  during  Queen 
Anne’s  reign,  and  had  no  rival  until  the  appearance 
of  “The  Boston  Gazette”  in  17 19. 3 

“At  a  meeting  of  the  select  men  of  Lexington  november 
7-1720.  Then  agreed  with  mr  John  Lawrenc  Sr  to  take 
Rachel  Carley  and  keep  her  a  while  upon  tryal  and  he  shall 
haue  satesfaction  for  his  Trouble.” 

From  an  original  deed  now  before  the  writer,  dated 
Sept.  28,  1722,  it  appears  that  Francis  Bowman,  Deacon 
Samuel  Stone,  and  Samuel  Lock,  all  of  Lexington, 
were  empowered  “  to  make  sale  of  ye  Remaining  part 
of  ye  Portion  bequeathed  by  William  Carly,  late  of 


1  Hudson’s  History  of  Lexington. 

2  Concord  in  the  Colonial  Period.  By  C.  H.  Walcott. 

3  Memorial  History  of  Boston,  vol.  ii.  p.  3SS. 


6o 


HISTORICAL  SKETCHES 


Lexington,  deceased,  to  his  daughter  Rachel  Carly 
(a  person  non  compos  mentis )  lying  in  Lands  in  Lex¬ 
ington  aforesd  ;  ”  and  the  said  lands  were  accordingly 
sold  to  “  Robert  Fisk  of  sd :  town,  Physician.” 

“At  a  Meeting  of  freeholders  &  other  Inhabitants  of  Lex¬ 
ington  Orderly  Convened  on  ye  io  of  march  171^  in  order 
to  ye  choosing  of  town  officers  [&c  ;]  Imprimis  then  chose 
Joseph  Phassett,  moderator;  Joseph  Estabrooke ;  Benj. 
Wellenton ;  Joseph  Phassett,  John  Laurance ;  &  Thomas 
Mirriam  select  men.” 

“At  a  meeting  of  the  select  men  of  Lexington  January  30 
1720-21  1  s  d 

alowed  mr  John  Lawrence  sen.  01.  00.  00.  for  his  trouble 
for  keeping  sd  Rachel  Carley  11  or  12  weeks,  as  soon  as  it 
can  be  obtained  out  of  her  estate.” 

“  Att  a  meeting  of  the  select  men  of  Lexington  March 
26-1722,  ordered  the  clerk  to  pass  a  Bill  of  r  -  00  -  00  -  on 
mr  Carleys  exectr  to  pay  mr  John  Lawrence  for  keeping 
Rachel  Carley  12  weeks  in  1720.  sd  Lawrence  appearing 
before  the  select  men  and  sd  he  had  lost  the  bill  he  had  of 
the  select  men  January  30  1720-21.  The  afore  sd  Bill  was 
passed  that  evening.” 

“Att  a  meeting  of  ye  select  men  of  Lexington  aprel  30. 
1722,  Then  desired  Capt  Bowman  to  se[e]  what  care  ought 
to  be  taken  about  the  Town  Stock  of  powder  and  alowed 
Mr  Whitmore  five  siblings  toward  plank  that  John  Lawrence 
had  to  mend  the  bridg  ouer  Vine  Brooke  to  be  paid  out  of 
the  Town  treasury.” 

As  early  as  the  year  1700,  the  residents  at  “the 
Farms”  had  petitioned  the  town  of  Cambridge,  “that 
that  part  of  the  public  stock  of  ammunition  which  is 
supposed  to  belong  to  our  share,  may  be  kept  in  the 
Parish.” 


OF  THE  LAWRENCE  FAMILY. 


6l 

“At  a  meting  of  ye  freeholders  &  other  Inhabitants  of 
ye  Town  of  Lexington  Being  duly  qualified  &  orderly  con¬ 
vened  together  on  the  4  day  of  march  1722/3  in  order  to 
chuse  Town  offecers  for  the  year  ensuing. 

“(1)  uoted  Mr  Joseph  Fassett  moderator,  then  uoted  to 
haue  5  select  men  (1)  mr  Thomas  Bloggett  (2)  Benja  Wel¬ 
lington  (3)  mr  John  Lawrence  (4)  mr  Jose.  Brown  (5)  mr 
Thomas  miriam.” 

“  att  a  meeting  of  the  freeholders  [etc.]  on  the  13  day  of 
may  1723. 

“  (5)  uoted  to  chuse  a  comtee  about  ye  school. 

“  (6)  uoted  to  have  3  of  sd  comtee  (1)  mr  John  Laurence 
(2)  mr  Joseph  Loring  (3)  Capt.  Joseph  Bowman, 
allso  uoted  not  to  grant  John  Lawrences  &  Richard  Orms 
request  for  the  improuement  of  sum  of  ye  minesterall  land.” 

“  Att  a  meeting  of  ye  ffreholders  [etc.]  on  ye  7:  of  march 
1725/6  in  order  to  ye  choosing  of  Town  Officers,  &c.  voted 
to  chuse  five  select  men  (1)  chose  mr  Benj.  Wellington 
(2)  mr  Joseph  ffassett  (3)  mr  Joseph  Brown  (4)  mr  John 
Lawrance  (5)  Lt  John  munroe.” 

“Att  a  meeting  of  the  select  men  of  Lexington  march  the 
1 1  -  1725/6,  agreed  that  mr  John  Lawrence  shall  find  meal 
for  Thom  Paul  &  his  wife  until  our  next  meeting  and  to  receive 
his  pay  out  of  the  Town  Treasury.” 

“  Att  a  meeting  of  the  select  men  of  Lexington  march 
th[e]  28  1726,  then  appointed  mr  John  Lawrence  &  mr 
Joseph  Fassett  to  goe  as  preambelators  on  biliraca  Line.” 

The  line  between  Billerica  and  Cambridge  Farms, 
or  Lexington,  was  about  one  mile  long,  and  ran  in  a 
north-easterly  direction,  and  a  little  to  the  westward 
of  the  present  boundary  of  Bedford.  The  residence  of 
Fasset  was  almost  on  the  line,  and  that  of  Lawrence 
close  by.  Bedford  was  incorporated  in  1729.  This 
new  township  was  formed  by  taking  the  north-east 
part  of  Concord  and  the  south  part  of  Billerica. 


62 


HISTORICAL  SKETCHES 


“  Att  a  meeting  of  ye  select  men  of  Lexington  January 
30-  1726/7,  [it  was  voted  to  pay] 

“allso  to  mr  John  Lawrence  2-01-04  for  meal  malt  &c 
for  paul.  ss  a 

“  allso  to  mr  Lawrence  &  mr  fassett  1-6  each  for  renewing 
the  line  between  bilerica  &  Lexington.” 

“att  a  meeting  of  ye  select  men  of  Lexington  febr.  2 7- 
1726/7  agreed  that  mr  Lawrence  mr  fassett  &  Benja  Wel¬ 
lington  three  of  ye  select  men  shall  goe  to  Daniel  Smith  on 
the  second  day  of  march  next  and  try  to  agree  with  him  or 
make  som  offers  for  recompenc  for  land  where  a  town  way 
was  laid  threw  his  land  in  1726.” 

“March  2,  1726/7  mr  Lawrence  mr  ffasett  &  Benja  Wel¬ 
lington  went  to  Daniell  Smithe  and  offered  him  ten  pounds 
in  full  for  recompence  for  sd  Town  way  going  threw  his 
land.” 

“  att  a  meeting  of  ye  freeholders  and  other  Inhabitants  of 
the  Town  of  Lexington  duly  qualified  and  orderly  assembled 
to  gether  at  ye  schoole  house  in  sd  town  on  march  6,  1726-7 
in  order  to  chuse  Town  offecers  for  the  year  ensuing  as  the 
law  directs  &c.  uoted  to  haue  five  select  men  then  uoted 
for  ye  select  men  (1)  fran.  Bowman  Esq.  (2)  Capt  Joseph 
Bowman  (3)  Benja  Wellington  (4)  mr  Joseph  ffasett  (5) 
mr  John  Lawrence.” 

“att  a  meeting  of  ye  select  men  of  Lexington  febru  5, 
1727/8.  1  s  d 

“  allso  alowed  mr  Lawrences  acc*  being  3-11-08  for 
meal  [and]  money  laid  out  &c  for  Thom.  Paul  and  allowed 

1  s  d 

Sam11  Lawrence  4-14-00  for  eleuen  cord  of  wood  for  paul 
&  six  pound  of  pork.” 

Samuel  Lawrence  was  the  fifth  son  of  John,  and 
was  born  in  Lexington  July  9,  1700.  He  married 

Elizabeth - ,  and  had  a  daughter  Ruth,  born  Jan. 

21,  and  baptized  Feb.  20,  1726.  He  enlisted  as  a 


OF  THE  LAWRENCE  FAMILY. 


63 


soldier  in  1725,  and  served  during  Dummer’s  war. 
He  was  living  in  1742,  when  his  father’s  will  was 
made. 

“att  a  meeting  of  the  select  men  of  Lexington  march  18, 
1728/9  then  appointed  persons  to  renew  the  bounds  round 
the  Town  uiz /  mr  John  Lawrence  mr  Joseph  Fassett  ju  on 
Bilerica  line.” 

“December  31,  1729.  then  past  a  bill  to  the  constabl  to 
pay  mr  John  Lawrenc  four  shiling  for  work  don  for  father 

s  d 

paid  &  1  -  6  for  preambelating  last  year  between  Bilerica  & 
Lexington.” 

“Att  a  meeting  of  the  freeholders  and  other  Inhabitants 
of  the  Town  of  Lexington  duly  qualified  &  orderly  assem¬ 
bled  at  the  schoole  hous  in  said  Town  on  munday  the  sixth 
day  of  march  17312  in  order  to  chuse  Town  offecers  &c- 
uoted  to  haue  five  select  men.  uoted  (1)  capt  Joseph  Bow¬ 
man  the  first  select  man  (2)  cap1  Joseph  Estabrooke  (3) 
ens.  John  Mason  (4)  mr  Thomas  miriam  (5)  mr  John  Law¬ 
rence.” 

“At  a  meeting  of  ye  select  men  of  Lexington  may 
ye  8th:  1732. 

“Atye  Request  of  mr  John  Larrance  Resolved  to  meet 
at  sd  Larrances  house  on  munday  ye  15th:  of  may  currant 
at  sun  an  hour  high  at  night :  in  order  to  streighten 
ye  way  sumthing  more  Latte[r]ly  Pricked  out  for  Nath11 
Trask.” 

“At  a  meeting  of  ye  Select  men  of  Lexington  ye  15th  of 
May  1732  :  at  ye  house  of  mr  Jn°:  Larrance,  In  order  to  a 
further  view  &  makeing  ye  way  Pricked  out  for  sd  Nath11 
Trask  through  sd  Larrances  Land  more  Dirict  &  Streight  : 
Acordingly  Begining  at  a  stake  &  stones  in  ye  line  between 
sd  Larrance,  &  Trask  streight  to  a  grey  oak  tree  marked 
with  stones  at  ye  Root,  and  from  thence  streight  to  a  stake 
and  stones  by  a  Post  in  sd  Larrances  fence :  so  as  sd  Lar- 


64 


HISTORICAL  SKETCHES 


ranees  orchard  fence  now  stands,  to  a  black  oak  marked  at 
ye  Corner  of  sd  Larrances  orchard  by  ye  Town  way.” 

“At  a  meeting  of  ye  Select  men  January  28th:  1744/5; 
Examined  &  Allowed  ye  Comtees  Report  Relating  to  ye 
womens  Schools  Set  up  in  ye  out  Skirts  of  ye  Town :  viz  :  for 
Schooling  at  Mr  John  Lawrances,  ten  weeks  £5  .  .  s.o  .  .  d.o. 
Likewise  at  Mr  Nehemiah  Abbots,  ten  weeks  ^5  .  .  s.o  .  .  d.o. 
Note  yt  all  ye  aboue  sd  sums  are  to  be  Understood  in  Old 
tenor.” 

The  following  extracts  from  the  records  of  the  First 
Parish  of  Lexington  were  obtained  through  the  courtesy 
of  the  pastor,  the  Rev.  C.  A.  Staples  :  — 

“20th  February,  1715.  Chose  Deacon  Mirriam,  Samuel 
Stone  and  John  Lawrence  messengers  for  the  ordination  at 
Groton.” 

(The  Rev.  Caleb  Trowbridge  was  ordained  March  2, 

17I5> 

Benjamin  Bate  confessed  to  the  church  that,  — 

“through  the  temptations  of  the  Devill  and  his  own 
corrupt  heart,  he  had  been  led  into  many  sins,  particularly 
sabbath-breaking,  which  is  a  leading  sin  to  other  hainous 
sins ;  therefore  being  easily  taken  by  the  Devill  at  his  will, 
fell  into  the  sin  of  killing  John  Lawrence’s  cow  ye  night 
before  ye  last,  leaving  ye  ax  sticking  in  its  body.” 

(The  deed  was  committed  on  Sunday,  June  17, 

1716). 

John  Lawrence  was  an  influential  citizen  of  Lexing¬ 
ton,  and  was  held  in  much  esteem  by  his  fellow- 
townsmen.  He  administered  faithfully  the  trusts 


OF  THE  LAWRENCE  FAMILY. 


65 


committed  to  him,  and  transmitted  to  his  descendants 
an  untarnished  name.  He  died  in  Lexington,  March 
12,  1746,  in  the  eightieth  year  of  his  age.1 

THE  “OLD  LAWRENCE  PLACE” 

On  the  Bedford  road  in  Lexington  deserves  more 
than  a  passing  mention,  on  account  of  its  family 
associations ;  and  we  will  therefore  endeavor  here 
briefly  to  sketch  its  history.  It  was  purchased  by 
John  Lawrence,  son  of  Nathaniel,  when,  in  the  year 
1693,  he  removed  from  Groton  to  Lexington.  Here 
most  of  his  children  were  born,  among  them  Capt. 
Amos  Lawrence.  In  1737  John  Lawrence  conveyed 
the  estate  to  his  son  Jonathan,  then  a  resident  of 
Framingham,  “  partly  in  consideration  of  the  good 
affection  which  he  felt  for  him,  and  partly  in  con¬ 
sideration  of  ^700  in  good  bills  of  credit.”  In  the 
days  of  the  Revolution  the  farm  was  owned  and 
occupied  by  the  oldest  son  of  Jonathan,  Bezaleel 
Lawrence,  of  whom  we  have  elsewhere  made  mention. 
Then,  in  the  early  part  of  the  present  century,  another 
Jonathan,  the  youngest  child  of  Bezaleel,  lived  on  the 
ancestral  estate.  He  died  in  1835,  and  five  years 
afterwards  his  widow,  Polly  (Reed)  Lawrence,  sold  the 
property  to  Hiram  Reed  ;  and  it  has  since  been  owned 
successively  by  Samuel  B.  Pierce,  Abraham  C.  Mace, 
and  Patrick  Ryan.  At  the  present  time  the  old, 
house,  a  modest  gable-roofed  structure,  though  still 
standing,  is  in  a  somewhat  dilapidated  condition. 

1  Some  large  pewter  platters,  marked  “J.  L.,”  and  supposed  to  have 
belonged  to  John  Lawrence  of  Lexington,  are  now  the  property  of  Francis  W. 
Lawrence  of  Brookline,  Mass. 


66 


HISTORICAL  SKETCHES 


Some  years  ago  the  writer  had  it  successfully  photo¬ 
graphed.1 

The  late  Francis  Wyman  of  Lexington,  who  was 
born  in  1789,  and  who  attained  the  age  of  ninety-six 
years,  lived  in  his  boyhood  on  the  Reed  estate,  adjoin¬ 
ing  the  Lawrence  farm.  He  well  remembered  seeing 
Bezaleel  Lawrence  ride  on  horseback  to  church  on 
Sundays,  with  his  wife  seated  on  a  pillion  behind  him. 
In  1700  the  Lawrences’  nearest  neighbors  were  the 
Fassetts  and  Dunkleys,  and,  a  few  years  after,  the 
Trasks.  In  1800  the  neighbors  on  the  east  side  were 
Nathan  Reed  and  Joshua  Simonds,  and  on  the  west 
side  the  Page  family  in  Bedford. 

In  the  appendix  (No.  12)  will  be  found  a  copy  of 
the  deed  by  which  the  farm  was  conveyed  in  1693 
by  William  Johnson  to  “John  Laurence,  weaver  of 
Groton.”  It  was  situated  then  as  now,  on  the  border 
of  Tophet  Swamp,  but  the  locality  has  long  since 
ceased  to  be  known  as  “  ye  world’s  end.” 


JOHN  LAWRENCE,  Junior, 

Eldest  child  of  John  of  Lexington,  and  grandson  of 
Deacon  Nathaniel,  was  born  in  Groton,  June  9,  1689, 
and  was  therefore  about  five  years  of  age  when  his 
father  removed  to  Cambridge  Farms.  He  married, 
May  18,  1710,  Elizabeth,  fifth  child  of  Deacon  Samuel 
and  Dorcas  (Jones)  Stone  of  Lexington.  Her  father 
was  known  as  “  Samuel  Stone  East''  to  distinguish 
him  from  his  cousin  of  the  same  name,  who  was  called 

1  Acknowledgments  are  due  the  Rev.  Edw.  G.  Porter  of  Lexington  for 
assistance  in  locating  this  estate. 


OF  THE  LAWRENCE  FAMILY. 


67 


“Samuel  Stone  West.”1  Although  John  Lawrence, 
jun.,  was  married  in  Lexington,  and  appears  to  have 
retained  his  connection  with  the  church  there  for 
many  years,  his  residence  was  within  the  limits  of 
Woburn  (now  Burlington2),  where  he  became  an 
active  participant  in  town  affairs.  The  eight  children 
of  John  and  Elizabeth  Lawrence  were  baptized  in 
Lexington.  He  died  Jan.  22,  1752,  aged  sixty-three 
years. 

THOMAS  LAWRENCE, 

The  second  son  of  John  of  Lexington,  and  grandson 
of  Deacon  Nathaniel  (169 1-1 729),  was  born  in  Groton, 
but  came  to  Cambridge  Farms  in  early  childhood. 

He  married  in  1713  Prudence - ,  and  was  living  in 

Groton  again  as  early  as  1715,  as  on  Oct.  9  of  that 
year  he  and  his  wife  were  admitted  to  the  church 
there,  and  their  daughter  Prudence  was  baptized  the 
same  day.  A  great-grandson,  Deacon  Curtis  Law¬ 
rence,  born  in  1799,  recently  died  in  Groton. 

Thomas  Lawrence  was  by  trade  a  cordwainer.  He 
was  twice  chosen  a  tithing-man,  and  held  the  responsi¬ 
ble  office  of  town  treasurer  from  1723  to  1728.  The 
inventory  of  his  estate  is  dated  January,  1729,  and 
contains  these  items  :  — 

“To  Bed,  Beding  Bed  steds  and  tabel  Lining  £ 22-01-6 . 
to  Putter  &  Bras  &  other  Nessasariss  in  ye  house  .£11-14-4. 
to  a  saddle  Briddles  and  Pillion  £3-07-00.  to  Barriels  and 
Cyder  £8-19-00.  to  a  Negro  Boy  £ 80 .  to  horses  £30, 
to  sheep  and  swine  £80.” 

1  Hudson’s  History  of  Lexington. 

2  The  Second  Precinct  of  Woburn  was  incorporated  as  the  town  of  Burling¬ 
ton,  Feb.  28,  1799. 


68 


CAPT.  THOMAS  LAWRENCE 


HISTORICAL  SKETCHES 


(1720-1758),  son  of  the  preceding,  and  grandson  of 
John  of  Lexington,  was  a  man  of  gigantic  size  and 
great  personal  prowess.  He  was  frequently  in  military 
service,  and  was  killed  by  the  Indians  near  Lake 
George,  in  July,  1758. 1  He  had  six  toes  on  each  foot; 
and  this  physical  peculiarity  of  having  supplementary 
toes  or  fingers,  and  sometimes  both,  has  been  inherited 
by  several  of  his  descendants.  Within  the  past  year 
(1888),  a  child  of  the  fifth  generation  has  been  born 
with  this  unusual  number  of  members.  A  descendant 
of  Capt.  Lawrence  now  owns  the  lasts  on  which  his 
boots  and  shoes  were  made,  as  no  last  of  ordinary 
pattern  would  answer  the  purpose.  It  is  said  that  the 
Indians  who  killed  him,  on  observing  this  peculiar 
malformation,  were  filled  with  superstitious  awe,  and 
regretted  their  act.  Capt.  Thomas  Lawrence  was  a 
resident  of  Pepperell  district.  In  civil  life  he  served 
two  years  as  deer-reeve. 


THOMAS  LAWRENCE 


( 1 75 7— 1 82 2).  the  youngest  son  of  Capt.  Thomas 
and  great-grandson  of  John  of  Lexington,  enlisted 
in  the  Continental  army  when  quite  young,  and 
was  wounded  at  the  battle  of  Bunker  Hill.  From 
some  of  his  grandchildren  and  from  certain  aged 
residents  of  Pepperell,  we  have  learned  a  few  facts 

1  See  Butler’s  History,  pp.  326-328;  and  Groton  during  the  Indian  Wars, 
by  Dr.  S.  A.  Green,  p.  157  and  seq. 


OF  THE  LAWRENCE  FAMILY. 


69 


concerning  him.  He  inherited  from  his  father  a  large 
frame,  —  a  physical  attribute  observed  in  some  of  his 
descendants  at  the  present  time.  On  muster  days  he 
appeared  in  the  role  of  a  fifer,  and  his  title  of  “  major” 
was  probably  earned  by  service  as  a  regimental  “  fife- 
major.”  He  taught  singing-schools  in  Pepperell  and 
Brookline,  N.H.,  and  was  himself  a  good  singer  and 
a  member  of  the  church  choir.  He  lived  about  a  mile 
south-west  of  Pepperell  meeting-house,  and  some  thirty 
rods  south  of  the  present  residence  of  the  Rev.  Dr. 
Babbidge,  on  a  road  leading  from  Federal  Street  to 
South  Pepperell.  The  place  is  now  occupied  by  Mr. 
John  E.  Blood. 

Another  Thomas  Lawrence,  a  son  of  Nathaniel, 
and  grandson  of  Enosh,  was  living  in  Pepperell  during 
the  latter  half  of  the  last  century.  His  oldest  son,  of 
the  same  name,  was  of  about  the  same  age  as  “  Major” 
Lawrence  ;  and  as  the  latter  had  a  son  Thomas  S. 
and  a  grandson  Thomas  G.,  it  is  not  surprising  that  a 
confusion  of  names  should  sometimes  result.  The 
name  of  Thomas  Lawrence  of  Pepperell  appears  in  a 
“  Muster  Roole  of  Capt.  John  Nutting[’s]  Company  of 
Minett  men  in  Col0.  Wm  Prescott  [’s]  Reg1  who  marchd 
from  Pepperill  ye  19  of  April,  1 7 75 F’1  We  find  the 
name  again  in  “  Jas.  Hosley’s  muster-roll  of  Vollun- 
teers  who  turned  out  of  the  Towns  of  Townshend, 
Pepperrell  and  Ashby,  and  marched  with  him  to  the 
assistance  of  Major  General  Gates  agreable  to  a  resolve 
of  the  General  Court  upon  September  22,  1777.”2 


1  Mass.  Revol.  Muster-Rolls,  vol.  xiii.  p.  22. 

2  Do.  vol.  xix.  p.  177. 


70 


HISTORICAL  SKETCHES 


This  company  served  for  about  six  weeks,  and  formed 
a  part  of  the  army  which  compelled  Gen.  Burgoyne 
to  surrender  on  the  1 7th  of  October.  Among  its  rank 
and  file  as  volunteers,  were  Col.  William  Prescott  and 
Major  Henry  Woods.  Corporal  Joseph  Lawrence,  a 
son  of  Joseph  and  great-grandson  of  Enosh,  was  also 
a  member  of  Capt.  Hosley’s  company. 

In  the  earlier  history  of  Peppered,  almost  every 
citizen  had  a  distinctive  nickname.  Of  six  contem¬ 
porary  individuals  named  “  Thomas  Lawrence,”  five 
were  designated  as  “Whalebone  Tom,”  “Major  Tom,” 
“  Stuttering  Tom,”  “  Hoop’ole  Tom,”  and  “  Six-toed 
Tom.”  Daniel  H.  Lawrence1  was  familiarly  known  as 
“  Whalebone  Daniel.”  Some  of  his  descendants  are 
now  living  in  Peppered.  One  of  them,  Sumner  P. 
Lawrence,  is  a  prominent  citizen,  and  was  at  one  time 
a  member  of  the  Legislature.  In  regard  to  the  mean¬ 
ing  of  some  of  the  above  nicknames,  “  hoop’ole  ”  was 
a  contraction  for  “  hoop-pole,”  and  probably  had  refer¬ 
ence  to  the  trade  of  a  cooper  or  a  cutter  of  poles  for 
hoops  ;  “  whalebone”  was  used  to  convey  the  idea  of 
stiffness,  or  toughness,  as  a  physical  or  moral  trait. 


COL.  WILLIAM  LAWRENCE, 

The  fourth  son  of  John  of  Lexington,  was  born  at 
Cambridge  Farms,  Aug.  11,  1697,  and  went  to  Groton 
probably  in  1721. 2  His  name  first  appears  in  the  town 

1  “Daniel  Hall  Lawrence,  son  to  Thomas  Lawrence  Junr.  and  Mehitable  his 
wife,  born  Sept.  7.  1780.” — Pepperell  Records. 

2  On  June  27,  1721,  Shebual  Hobart  sold  to  William  Lawrence,  blacksmith, 
a  certain  parcel  of  upland  and  lowland  in  Groton,  “with  a  Dwelling-house  and 
a  barn  thereon,  containing  eight  acres  and  bounded  southwardly  partly  by  land 


OF  THE  LAWRENCE  FAMILY. 


71 


records  in  the  following  year.  On  June  27,  1722,  he 
married  Susanna,  daughter  of  Jonas  Prescott.  In  the 
month  of  March  ensuing,  he  and  his  wife  were  admit¬ 
ted  to  the  church ;  and  the  same  year  he  enlisted  as  a 
soldier,  and  saw  considerable  active  service  at  different 
times.  He  was  made  captain  in  1 734  or  thereabouts, 
major  about  the  year  1 740,  and  colonel  in  1754.  His 
residence  was  situated  on  the  former  site  of  Liberty 
Hail,  on  the  corner  of  Main  Street  and  the  road 
leading  to  the  railway  station. 

For  a  long  period  he  was  perhaps  the  most  promi¬ 
nent  citizen  of  Groton.  He  served  twelve  years  as 
selectman,  fifteen  as  an  assessor,  and  represented  the 
district  in  the  general  court  ten  years.  He  was  re¬ 
peatedly  chosen  moderator  of  town  and  parish  meet¬ 
ings,  and  was  appointed  a  special  justice  of  the  court 
of  Common  Pleas  for  Middlesex  County.  A  man  of 
superior  natural  endowments,  he  appears  to  have  had 
a  special  aptitude  for  public  business,  and  his  services 
were  sought  by  his  fellow-townsmen  in  all  matters 
requiring  the  exercise  of  good  judgment  and  discretion , 
that  quality  which  has  been  described  as  “  the  perfec¬ 
tion  of  reason  and  a  guide  to  win  all  the  duties  of 
life.”  1 

From  the  records  of  the  proprietors  of  Townsend 
it  appears  that  in  the  year  1735  William  Lawrence 
received  an  allotment  of  one  hundred  and  fifty  acres 
of  land  lying  on  the  eastern  side  of  Massaquatanapass 

of  James  Nutting  and  partly  by  land  of  John  Nutting,  northerly  by  the  town’s 
common  land  called  the  Burying  place,  westwardly  by  the  highway  as  the 
fenc[e]  now  stands  and  on  all  other  points  by  the  highway.’’ — Middlesex  Registry 
of  Deeds,  fol.  21,  p.  432. 

1  Addison. 


72 


HISTORICAL  SKETCHES 


Great  Hill,  now  known  as  Tanapas  Hill,  in  Brookline, 
N.H. 

A  few  lines  from  Mr.  I.  B.  Sawtelle’s  “  History  of 
Townsend  ”  are  here  quoted  :  — 

“  William  Lawrence  not  only  had  a  considerable  part  of 
his  father’s  land  (John  Lawrence  of  Lexington)  in  ‘North 
Town,’  but  he  bought  and  owned  extensive  tracts  in  the 
northern  part  of  the  town.  No  one  man,  except  John 
Stevens  and  Daniel  Taylor,  possessed  so  many  acres.  His 
name  appears  first  in  the  list  of  grantees  of  the  town  of 
Mason,  N.H.  (granted  1749),  where  he  owned  nine  of  the  two 
hundred  farms  into  which  the  town  was  surveyed  and  allotted. 
He  served  on  almost  every  important  committee  appointed 
by  the  North  Town  proprietors.” 

In  June,  1758,  the  Massachusetts  General  Court 
granted  him  three  hundred  and  fifty-three  acres  of 
land  lying  “  south  of  Pontoosuck,  on  the  Housatonuck 
River.” 

Col.  William  Lawrence  died  May  19,  1764. 


WILLIAM  LAWRENCE, 

The  oldest  child  of  Col.  William,  and  grandson  of 
John  of  Lexington,  was  born  in  Groton,  May  7,  1723. 
Lie  was  the  first  one  of  the  descendants  of  John  Law¬ 
rence  of  Wisset,  Eng.,  who  entered  Harvard  College. 
Being  admitted  in  July,  1739,  he  graduated  from  that 
institution  in  1743,  and,  studying  for  the  ministry,  was 
licensed  to  preach  Jan.  7,  1746.  At  this  time  he  was  a 
member  of  the  First  Church  in  Cambridge.  Two  years 
later  he  began  to  preach  in  Lincoln  as  a  candidate. 


OF  THE  LAWRENCE  FAMILY. 


73 


In  the  early  church  records  of  that  town  is  found  the 
following :  — 

“At  a  meeting  of  ye  Ch.h  &  qualified  voters  in  Concord, 
Lexington  and  Weston,  Second  Precinct  on  ye  11th  of  Apriel 
1748  Mr  Joshua  Brooks  [was]  Chosen  Moderator;  Voted  by 
S.d  Ch.h  &  Prec[inct]  That  they  Choose  but  one  young  Can¬ 
didate  for  ye  ministry  to  Preach  with  them  in  Probation.  At 
ye  same  Time  Voted  That  Mr  Wm  Lawrence  is  the  man 
Desired  to  Preach  Four  Sabbaths  &  ye  Fast  on  sd  Probation 
in  or[der]  For  Settlement  in  ye  ministry  among  them.” 

At  a  meeting  of  the  church  and  precinct  holden 
May  18,  1748,  Mr.  William  Lawrence  was  chosen  their 
minister,  and  the  same  day  he  sent  the  following 
response : — 

“  Gentlemen  ;  Whereas  you  have  been  pleased  to  give  me 
an  invitation  to  settle  in  the  gospel  ministry  amongst  you, 
I  take  this  opportunity  to  return  you  thanks  for  your  respect 
shown  me  therein,  and  to  signify  to  you  my  willingness  to 
accept  of  the  said  invitation.  So  wishing  that  grace,  mercy 
and  peace  may  be  multiplied  to  you,  and  that  I  may  be 
enabled  to  perform  faithfully  the  office  of  a  gospel  minister, 
and  greatly  advance  your  best  interest,  I  subscribe  myself 
your  faithful  friend  and  humble  servant, 

Wm  Lawrence.” 

His  ordination  took  place  on  Dec.  7  of  the  same 
year.  On  Feb.  7,  1 750-1,  he  married  Love  Adams,  a 
daughter  of  one  of  the  members  of  his  church.  Her 
father,  John  Adams,  was  a  great-grandson  of  Henry 
Adams,  a  native  of  Devonshire,  Eng.,  who  settled  in 
Quincy,  Mass.,  and  was  the  ancestor  of  the  eminent 
branch  of  the  Adams  family  still  resident  in  that  place. 


74 


HISTORICAL  SKETCHES 


John  Adams  married  in  1722  Love  Minott  of  Concord, 
and  died  Oct.  25,  1725,  leaving  two  children,  John  and 
Love.  The  Rev.  William  Lawrence  was  the  first 
pastor  of  the  church  at  Lincoln,  and  continued  in 
office  for  thirty-one  years.  During  this  long  period 
he  was  frequently  called  to  officiate  in  other  places. 
He  took  part  in  the  exercises  at  the  ordination  of  the 
Rev.  Jonas  Clarke  at  Lexington,  Nov.  5,  1755  ;  and  a 
few  years  after  he  “gave  the  charge”  at  the  installa¬ 
tion  of  the  Rev.  Joseph  Brown  at  Winchendon.  He 
also  preached  the  sermon  at  the  ordination  of  the  Rev. 
Stephen  Farrar  at  New  Ipswich,  N.H.,  Oct.  22,  1760.1 
His  library  contained  many  valuable  books,  a  list  of 
which  is  given  in  the  inventory  of  his  estate.  The 
Rev.  William  Lawrence  died  April  11,  1780.  His 
widow  and  nine  children  survived  him.  Mrs.  Love 
(Adams)  Lawrence  died  Jan.  3,  1820,  in  her  ninety- 
sixth  year. 


LOVEY  LAWRENCE, 

The  second  child  of  the  Rev.  William  Lawrence,  was 
“  born  at  Lincoln,  Massachusetts  Bay,  April  18th, 
1754.”2  She  married  in  Lincoln,  Nov.  23,  1774, 3  Dr. 
Joseph  Adams  of  Townsend.  He  was  an  uncompro¬ 
mising  loyalist,  and  was  born  in  Lincoln,  Jan.  30, 
1749-50.4  During  the  Revolutionary  war  he  visited 

1  The  sermon  preached  on  this  occasion  was  published.  It  was  “  printed  by 
S.  Kneeland,  in  Queen  Street,  Boston,  N.E.  MDCCLXI.” 

2  Family  Register,  Liskeard,  Eng. 

3  The  date  of  this  marriage  has  been  usually  given  as  Sept.  4,  1770.  This 
is  incorrect.  The  banns  were  published  Sept.  18,  1774. 

4  For  further  information  concerning  Dr.  Joseph  Adams,  see  Sawtelle’s 
History  of  Townsend. 


FROM  PAINTINGS  BY  OATES  IN  1789,  BELONGING  TO  T.  D.  ROCK,  ESQ.,  GRANVILLE  PARK,  LEWISHAM, 

LONDON.  S.  E..  KENT.  ENGLAND. 


OF  THE  LAWRENCE  FAMILY. 


75 


England,  and  decided  to  make  his  home  at  Liskeard 
in  Cornwall.  His  wife,  accompanied  by  her  brother 
Abel,  then  a  young  child,  soon  after  joined  him  there. 
Dr.  Adams  served  for  a  time  as  surgeon  in  the  British 
navy.  While  on  board  H.  M.  S.  “  Pegasus,”  Jan.  8, 
1780,  with  Admiral  Sir  George  Brydges  Rodney’s 
fleet,  he  took  part  in  an  action  against  the  Spaniards 
off  Cape  Finisterre,  and  had  the  pleasure  of  seeing 
eleven  out  of  the  twenty-three  Spanish  sail  strike 
their  colors  to  the  “  Pegasus.”  He  practised  medicine 
at  Liskeard,  where  he  formed  a  partnership  with  Mr. 
Palk,  a  Devonshire  gentleman,1  and  later  one  with  his 
brother-in-law,  Dr.  Abel  Lawrence. 

The  following  letter,  written  by  Dr.  Joseph  Adams 
to  his  brother  Dr.  Daniel  Adams  of  Keene,  N.H.,  is 
of  interest  from  its  allusions  to  the  political  situation 
in  Europe  at  that  time.  It  will  be  remembered  that 
Bonaparte  was  gaining  a  succession  of  victories  in 
Italy,  and  soon  afterwards  seriously  contemplated  an 
invasion  of  England. 

Liskeard.  Cornwall.  18th  April,  1797. 

My  Dear  good  Brother,  I  received  your  kind  and  affec¬ 
tionate  Letter,  dated  Keene,  20th  August,  1796  the  latter 
end  of  Novr  last  and  last  February  I  sent  a  Bundle  of  Letters 
to  New  England  directed  to  Brother  Nathan  in  which  I 
enclosed  one  to  you.  The  time  is  fast  approaching  when 
I  fear  a  dreadful  Convulsion  will  materially  affect  the  Peace 
&  Interest  of  this  Country,  as  it  has  a  Sister  Kingdom’s, 
whose  power  at  this  time  seems  to  preponderate  every 
other  and  threatens  to  give  laws  to  all  Europe. 


1  Letter  from  Miss  Emmeline  S.  Ede,  Feb.  2,  1888. 


76 


HISTORICAL  SKETCHES 


I  fully  intended  to  have  settled  my  affairs  here  and  revisited 
my  friends  in  New  England  in  June  next,  but  the  Continu¬ 
ance  of  the  present  War  bars  my  Intentions.  As  I  cannot 
dispose  of  my  property  here  to  any  advantage  nor  engage 
for  a  Passage  with  safety  until  we  are  blessed  with  Peace. 
I  am  highly  pleased  with  your  acc4.  of  America  and  very 
much  gratified  with  the  kind  invitation  of  my  friends  to 
become  a  Citizen  in  a  land  of  Peace  and  Plenty.  Whenever 
you  hear  that  Peace  is  reestablished  in  this  Country,  you  may 
depend  upon  my  returning  to  America  with  all  my  family 
and  till  then  I  cannot  with  propriety  and  safety  quit  the 
place.  Mr.  Lawrence  and  myself  in  a  Partnership  earn  a 
deal  of  Money,  but  the  high  price  of  Provisions  and  enor¬ 
mous  Taxes  render  it  impossible  to  lay  by  a  Guinea  for  a 
wet  day.  I  have  often  thought  that  one  hundred  acres  of 
Ground  upon  or  near  some  navigable  River  in  America  would 
be  better  than  a  Business  in  this  Country  of  two  Guineas 
Per  Diem. 

You  will  be  so  good  as  to  acquaint  all  my  dear  Relations 
and  friends  with  my  real  Intentions  and  thank  them  all  for 
their  kind  wishes.  Please  to  give  my  kind  love  to  your 
Wife  and  Children  with  a  thousand  Kisses  and  let  them 
know  that  Uncle  Joseph,  now  in  England,  means  to  pay 
them  a  visit  as  soon  as  the  present  War  may  be  at  an  end. 
If  I  may  tell  you  the  truth  respecting  the  present  situation 
of  affairs  in  Europe,  all  Italy,  the  Netherlands,  Holland, 
and  a  great  part  of  Germany  are  under  the  Dominion  of 
France. 

Your  sister,  Mrs  Lawrence  and  three  Nieces  join  in 
wishing  you  and  your  dear  family  everything  that’s  good, 
with 

Your  very  affectionate  Brother 
Joseph  Adams. 

Dr.  Adams  died  Feb.  3,  1803.  His  wife  survived 
him  many  years,  and  died  in  1837. 


DR.  ABEL  LAWRENCE. 

FROM  A  PAINTING  BELONGING  TO  DR.  J.  H.  LAWRENCE, 
LISKEARD.  CORNWALL,  ENGLAND. 


OF  THE  LAWRENCE  FAMILY. 


77 


Their  children  were:  (i)  Lovey,  who  was  born  in 
Lincoln,  Sept.  30,  1775,  and  died  there  June  10, 
1 7 76.1  (2)  Lovey  Lawrence,  born  in  Liskeard,  in  1788, 
and  who  died,  unmarried,  Feb.  8,  1870.  (3)  Mary, 

born  in  1790,  who  married  William  Tickell,  a  solicitor, 
of  Liskeard.  She  died  without  issue,  Aug.  14,  1876. 
(4)  Susanna  Lawrence,  born  in  1792.  She  married 
Lieut.  Robert  Ede,  R.N.,  who  died  in  1834.  She 
died  Dec.  5,  1879.  They  had  nine  children,  of  whom 
only  three  survived  ;  namely,  — 

(1)  Emmeline  Susan  Ede  (now  living  unmarried). 
(2)  Joseph  Adams  Ede,  who  died  in  1842.  (3)  Caroline 
Emma  Ede,  who  married  Thomas  Dennis  Rock,  a 
merchant  of  London,  Eng.  They  have  seven  children, 
and  reside  in  Granville  Park,  Lewisham,  Kent,  S.E. 


DR.  ABEL  LAWRENCE, 

The  youngest  child  of  the  Rev.  William  Lawrence,  was 
born  in  Lincoln,  Mass.,  Aug.  23,  1771,  and  went  to 
live  in  Liskeard,  Eng.,  when  quite  young.  Subse¬ 
quently  he  studied  medicine  with  his  brother-in-law, 
Dr.  Joseph  Adams,  and  afterward  practised  in  Liskeard. 
About  the  year  1801,  he  married  Mary  Hodge  of  St. 
German’s,  Cornwall,  who  died  Dec.  2,  i860,  surviving 
her  husband  half  a  century.  He  died  Dec.  1,  1810. 
They  had  six  children  : 2  — 

(I.)  Thomas  Hodge  Lawrence,  who  was  born  Jan. 
5,  1802,  and  married  July  16,  1832,  Mary  Collins,  who 

1  Lincoln  Records. 

2  The  genealogy  of  the  Lawrences  of  Cornwall,  hitherto  unpublished,  is  here 
given. 


78 


HISTORICAL  SKETCHES 


died  July  io,  1844.  He  was  a  druggist  in  Liskeard, 
where  he  died  Aug.  5,  1857.  They  had  four  children  : 

(1)  Catharine  Mary  Lawrence,  born  May  22,  1833. 

(2)  Thomas  Abel  Lawrence,  born  Aug.  31,  1834 

(living  in  America,  a  bachelor).  (3)  Joseph  Collins 
Lawrence,  born  March  22,  1837.  Married  in  Bombay, 
India,  Eliza  Grant.  He  died  in  1881.  (4)  Elizabeth 

Lovey  Lawrence,  born  May  22,  1839. 

Catharine  Mary  Lawrence,  daughter  of  Thomas 
Hodge  Lawrence,  married  July  6,  1858,  Henry  Caunter, 
solicitor,  of  Liskeard,  and  has  five  children  ;  namely, 
(1 )  Ethel,  born  April  30,  1859,  who  married  Dec.  16, 
1886,  William  Hewetson,  lieutenant  R.N.  (2)  Richard 
Lawrence,  born  Oct.  4,  i860.  He  studied  medicine, 
and  has  the  following  degrees  :  L.R.C.P.  and  L.R.C.S. 
(Edin.)  and  L.C.P.S.  (Glasgow).  (3)  Mabel,  born 
Sept.  18,  1861,  who  married  Jan.  29,  1887,  Charles 
Herbert  Rock,  of  the  firm  of  T.  Dennis  Rock  &  Co., 
London.  (4)  Henry  Lyde,  born  Feb.  2,  1865,  solicitor, 
Liskeard.  (5)  Kate,  born  Nov.  19,  1868. 

Elizabeth  Lovey  Lawrence,  the  youngest  child  of 
Thomas  Hodge  Lawrence,  married  July  24,  1866,  the 
Rev.  Walter  Alfred  Prideaux,  now  vicar  of  St.  Matthew’s, 
Stonehouse,  Devonshire.  They  have  three  children. 

(II.)  Dr.  Joseph  Adams  Lawrence,  the  second  son 
of  Dr.  Abel  Lawrence,  was  born  Jan.  23,  1803.  Pie 
was  a  surgeon  in  her  Majesty’s  service,  and  died  in 
India,  a  bachelor,  in  middle  life. 

(III.)  Mary  Hodge  Lawrence,  the  third  child,  was 
born  March  9,  1804.  She  died,  unmarried,  June  9, 1878. 

(IV.)  Elizabeth  Lovey  Lawrence,  sister  of  the 
preceding,  was  born  in  Liskeard,  July  25,  1805,  and 


OF  THE  LAWRENCE  FAMILY. 


79 


married  Edward  Lyne,  solicitor,  of  Wadebridge,  Corn¬ 
wall.  They  had  one  child  ;  namely,  Mary  Elizabeth, 
who  was  born  Aug.  i,  1837,  and  married  (first)  in 
1857  Francis  Tamblyn  Nicholas,  surgeon,  of  Liskeard, 
who  died  June  19,  1863,  leaving  one  child,  Marion, 
who  was  born  May  1,  1859,  and  is  now  the  wife  of  the 
Rev.  Richard  Augustin  Chudleigh,  Rector  of  West 
Parley,  Dorsetshire.  They  have  three  children. 

Mary  El?zabeth  Lyne  (Nicholas)  married 
(secondly)  April  23,  1868,  Richard  Stephens  Lyne,  of 
H.  M.  Customs,  London.  They  have  five  children. 

(V.)  Dr.  John  Hodge  Lawrence,  the  fifth  child  of 
Dr.  Abel  Lawrence,  was  born  in  Liskeard,  March  2, 
1808.  He  has  an  attractive  residence  on  Manley 
Terrace  in  the  outskirts  of  his  native  town.  He  has 
served  on  the  medical  staff  of  the  British  army  in 
India,  and  was  at  one  time  surgeon  of  the  Second 
Battalion  of  Cornish  Rifles.  He  has  also  held  the 
office  of  “  Provincial  Grand  Senior  Warden,  Free¬ 
masons.”  After  attaining  a  merited  prominence  in  his 
profession,  he  retired  from  practice  several  years  ago. 
He  was  never  married. 

(VI.)  Susanna  Lawrence,  sister  of  the  preceding, 
was  born  July  25,  1810,  and  still  resides  in  Liskeard. 

Mr.  Henry  Caunter,  a  son-in-law  of  Thomas  Hodge 
Lawrence,  writes  as  follows  concerning  the  Cornwall 
branch  of  the  family  :  — 

“  None  of  them  have  suffered  martyrdom  for  holding 
heterodox  opinions,  nor  have  they,  like  Mr.  O’Brien,  been 
deprived  of  their  small-clothes  in  their  country’s  cause  ;  nor 
even  made  a  noise  in  the  world  by  inventing  a  patent  pill.” 

“  Along  the  cool,  sequestered  vale  of  life, 

They  kept  the  noiseless  tenor  of  their  way.” 


So 


HISTORICAL  SKETCHES 


CAPT.  ABEL  LAWRENCE 

(1730-1770),  the  second  son  of  Col.  William,  and 
grandson  of  John  of  Lexington,  married  Nov,  14, 
1751,  Mary  Buckley  of  Groton,  and  had  four  children. 
He  was  town  clerk  four  years,  and  for  a  like  period 
a  member  of  the  general  court.  He  was  also  chosen  a 
selectman,  and  held  a  commission  as  justice  of  the 
peace.  He  enlisted  as  a  soldier  in  the  French  and 
Indian  war,  and  had  the  title  of  “  captain  ”  at  its  close. 
The  following  is  from  the  records  of  Lexington  :  — 

“  Att  a  meeting  of  [the]  Select  men  on  Munday  ye  14th 
Day  of  February,  1763,  Will.  Reed  Esq  Paid  to  ye  Town 
Treasurer  of  Lexington  4  :  o  :  o  :  which  he  received  of 
Capt.  Abel  Lawrence  of  Grotten  for  ye  town  of  Lexington 
supporting  the  P'rench  Nutturals  [neutrals]  Assigned  to 
Groten.” 

Abel  Lawrence  and  his  wife  were  admitted  to  the 
church  Aug.  18,  1770. 

The  following  items  are  included  in  the  inventory  of 
his  estate :  — 

“  one  blue  coat.  9/,  one  Brown  collerd  coat  8/,  one  Blue 
Waist  coat  4/,  one  Black  Jacit  2/,  one  Slwool  Jacit  7/,  3  prs 
of  Stolkins  4/4,  woolen  yarn  21/7,  tow  yarn  2/10,  sheep  wool 
7/4,  5  pounds  of  hetcheld  flax  &  other  spining  stuff  8/. 
wooden  messuers  [measures  ?]  6/.” 


OF  THE  LAWRENCE  FAMILY. 


Si 


JONATHAN  LAWRENCE, 

The  seventh  child  of  John  of  Lexington,  was  born 
Feb.  13,  1706,  and  was  admitted  to  the  church  Jan. 
22,  1727,  when  nearly  twenty-one  years  of  age.  The 
following  month  he  married  Elizabeth  Swain  ;  and  in 
1729.  according  to  the  church  records,  he  was  “dis¬ 
missed  to  the  East  Church  in  Sudbury.”  In  that  town 
his  oldest  daughter  Elizabeth  was  born.  He  removed 
to  Framingham  about  1730,  and  returned  to  Lexington 
some  ten  years  later.1  He  was  a  selectman  in  1752, 
served  as  an  assessor  three  years,  and  held  other  town 
offices.  Here  follow  some  extracts  from  the  Lexington 
records :  — 

“[At  a  town-meeting]  on  Munday  ye  21:  day  of  May 
1744;  Voted  to  Choose  a  Comtee  to  Provide  a  Schoole-master 
&  to  provide  Schoole  dames  &  fix  there  places  :  viz :  Ens. 
William  Munroe :  Ephraim  Winship,  Nehemiah  Abbot : 
Jonathan  Lawrance.” 

At  a  meeting  of  the  townspeople  held  May  21,  1759, 
it  was  — 

“Voted  that  mr  Jonathan  Lawrence,  Deacon  Joseph 
Loring  &  Deacon  James  Brown  be  a  committee  to  provide 
Rev.  mr  Clarke  wood.” 

“At  a  meeting  of  ye  Select  men  on  ye  29th  Day  of  June, 
1761,  then  agreed  that  a  womans  school  should  be  kept  at 
mr  Lawrence’s.” 

“At  a  Selectmens  meeting,  December  28th,  1761,  “Granted 


1  These  dates  are  given  after  comparison  of  the  different  town  and  church 
records.  They  do  not  correspond  exactly  with  those  in  Temple’s  History  of 
Framingham,  p.  621. 


82 


HISTORICAL  SKETCHES 


s  d 

an  order  to  pay  to  mr  Jonathan  Lawrence  ye  sum  of  12,  o, 
it  being  for  what  he  worked  at  ye  highway  over  &  above  his 
rate.” 

“Also  Granted  an  order  to  pay  to  Lawrence  £ 2 ,  S13,  d4 
more,  it  being  for  his  wifes  keeping  one  of  ye  women’s 
schools.” 

Jonathan  Lawrence  died  March  19,  1773,  aged 
sixty-seven  years. 

His  will,  dated  June  17,  1772,  and  probated  April 
20,  1773,  contains  this  clause:  “I  give  my  negroes 
among  all  my  children.” 

Slaves  were  kept  in  Lexington  from  the  early  days 
until  Revolutionary  times.  In  the  year  1738  there 
were  about  twenty  in  the  town.  The  writer  cor¬ 
responded  in  1882  with  a  great-granddaughter  of 
Jonathan  Lawrence.  This  lady,  Mrs.  Polly  Sayles, 
who  is  still  living  (1888)  in  Cambridge,  Ill.,  was  born 
on  the  “old  Lawrence  Place”  in  Lexington,  Mass., 
in  1799.  She  wrote,  describing  the  homestead:  — 

“The  house  the  colored  slaves  had  was  one  story  [high], 
with  a  slant  roof  from  the  main  two-story  house.  It  was 
plastered  and  comfortable.” 

Mrs.  Sayles  has  often  heard  her  father  describe  how, 
in  his  childhood,  he  used  to  romp  with  the  children  of 
the  slaves  owned  by  his  father,  Bezaleel  Lawrence. 

BEZALEEL  LAWRENCE, 

The  second  son  of  Jonathan,  and  grandson  of  John  of 
Lexington,  was  born  in  Framingham,  Mass.,  April  13, 
1736.  When  he  was  about  four  years  old,  his  father 


OF  THE  LAWRENCE  FAMILY. 


33 


returned  to  Lexington,  and  made  his  home  on  the 
ancestral  farm  in  that  town.  Bezaleel  Lawrence  was 
admitted  to  the  church  in  Lexington,  March  26,  1758  ; 
and  on  Oct.  19  of  the  same  year  he  married  Sarah 
Muzzey,  who  was  born  March  30,  1737.  She  was  a 
daughter  of  Amos  Muzzey,  a  wealthy  citizen  and  large 
land-owner.  Bezaleel  Lawrence  served  five  months 
in  the  American  army  in  1775.  He  was  the  tax- 
collector  of  Lexington  in  1777.  His  warrant  for  the 
collection  of  the  taxes  of  that  year  was  obtained  by 
the  writer  from  the  family  of  his  great-grandson, 
Edwin  Lawrence  of  North  Leominster,  Mass.,  and  is 
now  among  the  relics  belonging  to  the  Cary  Library 
in  Lexington. 

Bezaleel  Lawrence  died  Feb.  6,  1797.1 

The  following  extract  from  the  town  records  illus¬ 
trates  a  custom  which  prevailed  for  many  years  before 
the  Revolution.  Householders  were  required  by  law 
to  give  notice  to  the  selectmen  of  their  town  whenever 
they  received  into  their  families  any  stranger,  whether 
as  guest  or  domestic;  and  if,  in  the  judgment  of  the 
authorities,  the  newcomers  were  likely  to  become  a 
public  charge,  they  were  thereupon  “  warned  ”  to  leave 
town  forthwith. 

Bezaleel  Lawrence  informed  ye  Selectmen  that  he  had 
taken  into  his  family  as  an  apprentice  in  ye  month  of  May 
last  one  Jonathan  Holden.  He  came  from  Groton.  His 
circumstances  to  me  unknown. 

Beza.  Lawrence. 

Dated 

Lexington.  October  ye  2nd.  1765. 

1  A  great-granddaughter  of  Bezaleel  Lawrence,  Mrs.  Charlotte  Blinn,  and 
her  two  daughters  are  residents  of  Lexington. 


84 


HISTORICAL  SKETCHES 


MICAH  LAWRENCE, 

The  third  son  of  Jonathan,  and  grandson  of  John  of 
Lexington,  was  born  in  that  town  March  15,  1739, 
and  was  baptized  April  1,  following,  by  the  Rev. 
Ebenezer  Hancock,  associate  pastor  of  the  first 
parish.  His  boyhood  was  probably  passed  in  Lex¬ 
ington  ;  and,  as  his  mother  was  employed  as  a 
teacher  of  one  of  the  town  schools,  it  is  likely  that 
she  had  charge  of  his  early  education.  He  graduated 
at  Harvard  College  in  1759,  and  taught  school  fora 
while  at  Lincoln,  Mass.,  where  his  cousin  the  Rev. 
William  Lawrence  was  settled.  He  afterward  taught 
at  Worcester,  Mass.,  and  on  Nov.  14,  1764,  was 
ordained  minister  of  the  church  at  Winchester,  N.H. 
Some  particulars  of  his  ordination  and  labors  in  that 
place  have  been  given  by  his  grandson,  the  Rev.  John 
Lawrence,  in  the  family  genealogy.  Micah  Lawrence 
was  a  pronounced  loyalist ;  and  this  fact  created  dis¬ 
affection  among  his  people,  and  led  to  his  retirement 
from  his  pastorate  at  Winchester  in  the  early  part  of 
the  Revolution.  He  died  in  Keene,  N.H.,  in  1794. 

BENJAMIN  LAWRENCE, 

The  ninth  child  of  John  and  Anna  (Tarbell)  Lawrence, 
was  born  in  Lexington  “  maye  28th  day  in  the  yeare 
1713,”1  and  was  baptized  on  the  31st  by  the  Rev. 
John  Hancock.2  He  married  Feb.  12,  1735,  Jane, 
daughter  of  Jonathan  and  Elizabeth  Russell.3  She 


1  See  Family  Register.  Appendix,  No.  9. 

2  Lexington  church  records. 


3  Lexington  town  records. 


OF  THE  LAWRENCE  FAMILY. 


85 


was  born  in  Lexington,  July  19,  1711.  Benjamin 
Lawrence  was  admitted  to  the  church  June  29,  1735. 
Their  oldest  child,  Benjamin,  was  born  in  Lexington. 
In  1737  they  removed  to  Westborough,  where  five 
daughters  were  born.1  Although  not  formally  dis¬ 
missed  from  the  church  in  Westborough  until 
February,  1749,  they  appear  to  have  removed  to 
Bolton  the  previous  year,  as  the  birth  of  their  son 
Amos  is  recorded  there  July  26,  1748.2  Benjamin 
Lawrence  died  at  Harvard,  July  5,  1767.  His  widow 
removed  with  her  son  Amos  to  Ashburnham,  where 
she  died  Aug.  11,  1786. 3 


CAPT.  AMOS  LAWRENCE, 

The  tenth  and  youngest  child  of  John  and  Anna 
Lawrence,  was  born  in  Lexington  Feb.  13,  1716,  and 
was  baptized  when  six  days  old.  He  removed  to 
Groton  in  1742  or  earlier.  Following  is  the  first 
mention  of  him  in  the  town  records  :  — 

“  Att  a  Leagall  Town  meeting  of  the  Inhabitance  of  the 
town  of  Groton  Assembled  and  meet  att  the  Publick  meet¬ 
ing  house  august  24th:  AD:  1742.  Chose  William  Lawrance 
Esqr  moderator  for  said  meeting.  Voted  that  Shebuall 
Hobart  Jur.  William  Bennitt,  Amos  Lawrance  and  Nehemiah 
Hobart  have  Liberty  to  Build  a  Pew  in  the  meeting  House 
Over  the  womans  Stairs  such  an  one  as  they  have  already 
built  over  the  mens  Stairs.” 

From  recorded  contemporary  deeds,  we  learn  that 
as  a  young  man  he  was,  by  trade,  a  shoemaker,  or 


1  Westborough  records. 

2  Bolton  records. 


3  History  of  Ashburnham. 


86 


HISTORICAL  SKETCHES 


cordwainer.  In  1745  he  was  chosen  a  sealer  of 
leather,  and  in  1746  and  1748  his  name  appears  in  a 
list  of  duly  licensed  tavern-keepers.  His  brother 
William’s  name  appears  in  the  same  list  in  the  years 
immediately  preceding,  and  it  is  likely  that  Amos 
resided  for  a  time  with  him.  In  September,  1746,  a 
French  fleet  of  seventy  vessels,  under  the  Due 
d’Anville,  sent  to  averme  the  loss  of  Louisbure  the 
year  before,  appeared  in  the  vicinity  of  Massachusetts 
Bay.  In  response  to  an  appeal  for  assistance,  the 
militia  from  far  and  near  hastened  to  the  defence  of 
Boston,  as  apprehensions  were  felt  for  its  safety. 
Capt.  (afterwards  Col.)  William  Lawrence  marched 
with  a  company  from  Groton,  and  his  brother,  Sergt. 
Amos,  accompanied  him. 

The  fleet,  however,  was  so  disabled  by  storms,  that 
it  set  sail  for  France  without  having  accomplished 
any  thing,  and  after  a  brief  term  of  service  the 
soldiers  returned  to  their  homes.  The  clerk  of 
the  company  was  William  Prescott,  who  won  renown 
at  Bunker  Hill  twenty- nine  years  later. 

“  It  appearing  to  the  Comtee  [of]  the  Town  of  Groton  that 
adjoyning  to  sorri  of  the  Land  belongin  to  Arnos  Lawrance 
of  Groton  the  Town  way  is  stratned  and  som  of  It  Taken 
by  his  fence  and  he  being  willing  to  purchas  some  of  sd 
Town  way  according  to  the  Towns  vote  in  that  Case  made 
november  the  4  1734.  In  consideration  of  four  pound 
seventeen  shillings  and  sixpence  old  Tenour  payed  to  us  for 
the  use  of  the  Town  haue  sold  to  the  said  Amos  Lawrance 
to  have  and  to  hold  to  him  his  heirs  and  assigns  for  euer 
Seuenty  eight  poles  of  Land  adioyning  to  his  own  Land  on 
both  sides  the  highway  .  .  .  Square  with  Sam11  Scriptures 


OF  THE  LAWRENCE  FAMILY. 


87 


Land  on  the  east  side  the  way  and  so  Running  Till  it  comes 
to  Land  belongin  to  the  heirs  of  nathaniel  Sawtell  Esq. 
Leauing  the  Road  four  poles  wide  at  the  Least  and  we  do 
hear  by  order  the  instrument  to  be  Recorded  in  the  Town 
book  as  a  Good  Title  to  him  his  heirs  and  assigns  for  euer 
witness  pur  hands  the  2  day  of  may  anno  Domi[ni]  1749. 

Entered  Thos  Tarbell 
Town  clerk. 

William  Lawrance,  Daniel  farnsworth.  Thos.  Tarbell 

Comtee.” 


The  original  highways  in  Groton  were  unnecessarily 
wide  ;  and  the  farmers  who  owned  lands  bordering  on 
these  roads  had  in  many  cases  enclosed  within  their 
fences  strips  of  public  land,  to  which  they  had,  of 
course,  no  legal  right  or  title.1 

Amos  Lawrence,  although  now  a  resident  of 
Groton,  chose  a  wife  from  his  native  town.  He 
married  Nov.  7,  1749,  Abigail  Abbott  of  Lexington. 
Her  father,  Nehemiah  Abbott,  removed  from  Andover 
to  Weston,  in  1714,  and  again,  about  five  years  later, 
to  the  south-west  part  of  Lexington,  now  within  the 
township  of  Lincoln. 

(The  east  part  of  Concord,  the  south-west  part  of 
Lexington,  and  the  north-west  part  of  Weston  were 
incorporated  as  the  second  precinct  of  Concord  in 
1746.  Nehemiah  Abbott  and  some  thirty  others 
living  in  this  district  did  not  sign  the  petition  for 
incorporation,  and  were  therefore  legal  residents  of 
their  respective  towns  until  the  precinct  was  further 
incorporated  as  the  town  of  Lincoln  in  1754.  The 


1  See  Butler’s  History  of  Groton,  p.  45. 


ss 


HISTORICAL  SKETCHES 


lands  of  the  Abbott  family  lay  partly  within  the  present 
limits  of  Lexington  and  partly  in  Lincoln.) 

Nehemiah  Abbott  was  a  highly  respected  citizen 
of  Lexington,  and  at  different  times  filled  the  offices  of 
school-committee  man,  assessor,  and  town  treasurer. 
His  daughter  Abigail  was  born  Jan.  26,  1721,  and  was 
baptized  when  three  days  old.  She  was  admitted  to 
the  church  Feb.  5,  1738.  Although  an  authentic 
record  exists  of  the  date  of  the  marriage  of  Amos 
Lawrence  and  Abigail  Abbott,  the  place  is  not 
mentioned. 

It  is  probable  that  the  ceremony  was  performed  at 
Lexington,  where  the  parents  of  both  parties  resided, 
by  the  Rev.  John  Hancock,  who  had  been  the  minister 
of  the  First  Parish  for  fifty-one  years,  and  who  had 
also  baptized  each  of  them  in  infancy.  He  was  the 
grandfather  of  the  distinguished  Revolutionary  patriot 
of  the  same  name.  The  records  of  marriages  kept 
by  Mr.  Hancock  prior  to  1750  are  unfortunately  lost. 
It  is  possible,  however,  that  the  Rev.  William  Law¬ 
rence,  a  nephew  of  the  bridegroom,  may  have  been  the 
officiating  clergyman,  as  he  had  been  recently  ordained 
at  Lincoln,  in  the  immediate  neighborhood  of  the 
Abbotts’  residence. 

At  about  the  time  of  his  marriage,  Amos  Lawrence 
purchased  several  tracts  of  land  in  Groton,  nearly 
three  hundred  acres  in  all,  probably  considering  this 
to  be  a  judicious  mode  of  investing  the  money  recently 
inherited  by  him  under  his  father’s  will.  And  here  we 
may  remark  that  a  predilection  for  landed  property 
seems  to  have  been  from  early  times  a  prominent 
family  characteristic,  and  the  same  trait  is  observable 
in  later  generations. 


OF  THE  LAWRENCE  FAMILY. 


89 


Amos  Lawrence  and  his  wife  took  up  their  residence 
in  Groton  on  the  homestead  once  occupied  by  Nathaniel 
Lawrence,  where  their  sons  Amos,  jun.,  Nehemiah,  and 
Samuel  were  born.  He  soon  became  interested  in 
town  affairs,  and  was  elected  constable  and  collector 
in  1752.  At  a  town-meeting,  May  6,  1754,  it  was 
voted  — 

“  that  the  meeting  house  Comtee  provide  one  hogshead  of 
rum,  one  Loaf  of  white  Shuger,  one  quarter  of  a  hundread 
of  brown  Shugar.  also  voted  that  Deacon  Stone,  Deacon 
farwell,  Lt  Isaac  woods,  benje  Stone,  Lt  John  woods,  Cap1 
Sam11  Tarbell,  amos  Lawrance,  Ensign  obadiah  parker,  Cap1 
bancroft  be  a  Comtee  and  to  provide  Victuals  and  Drink  for  a 
hundread  men  and  If  the  people  Dont  subs[c]rib  anough, 
then  the  Comtee  to  purchas  the  Remainder  upon  the  Towns 
Cost.” 

These  supplies  were  provided  for  use  at  the  “raising” 
of  the  fourth  meeting-house,  an  event  which  took  place 
soon  after  (May  22-25). 

The  frame  of  the  church  which  was  erected  at  that 
time  remains  to  the  present  day;  but  the  building  has 
been  faced  about,  and  now  stands  at  a  riodit  anode  to 
its  former  position. 

On  Dec.  2  of  the  same  year,  Amos  Lawrence 
was  appointed  one  of  the  committee  of  fifteen  “  to 
measure  and  Take  a  plan  of  the  pew  Ground  ”  in  the 
new  church,  and  three  months  later  he  was  again 
chosen  a  sealer  of  leather.  Early  in  the  French  and 
Indian  war,  in  1755,  the  year  of  Braddock’s  ill-fated 
expedition  against  Fort  du  Quesne,  Groton,  though 
herself  no  longer  on  the  frontier,  had  yet  to  furnish 
her  quota  of  soldiers  to  defend  the  outlying  settlements 


90 


HISTORICAL  SKETCHES 


against  the  Indians.  Lieut.  Amos  Lawrence  was 
detailed  by  his  brother,  Col.  William,  to  place  scouts 
along  the  border  from  Athol  to  Northfield.1  How 
long  he  was  engaged  in  this  service,  does  not  appear ; 
but  it  is  evident  that  in  those  days  the  transition  from 
civil  to  military  life,  and  vice  versa ,  was  easy  and 
frequent. 

In  1756  Amos  Lawrence  was  chosen  a  selectman  of 
Groton,  and  during  the  ensuing  twenty  years  he  held 
that  office  fifteen  times.  He  was  appointed  one  of  the 
appraisers  of  the  estate  of  his  nephew  Capt.  Thomas 
Lawrence  of  Peppered,  who  was  killed  by  the  Indians 
in  1758.  From  the  town  records  a  few  extracts  are 
here  given  :  — 

“At  a  Legall  meeting  of  the  freeholders  and  other  inhab¬ 
it  an  ce  of  the  town  of  Groton  quallified  acording  to  law  To 
vote  in  town  afairs  being  assembled  and  meet  at  the  Publick 
meeting  house  in  said  Town  on  fryday  ye  first  Day  of  Sep¬ 
tember  1758.  .  .  .  3b  then  ye  question  was  put  whether 
the  town  would  add  two  to  ye  former  Committee  Chosen  to 
provide  a  work  house  and  it  past  in  the  afirmative  and  then 
voted  and  chose  mr  Elisha  Rockwood  and  Ens.  amos  Lawrance 
as  an  addition  to  the  former  Committee 

Recorded. 

Abel  Lawrence,  Town  Clerk. 

In  the  warrant  for  the  annual  town-meeting,  March 
1,  1763,  to  be  holden  at  “  ten  of  ye  Clock  in  ye  fore¬ 
noon,”  article  eight  reads  as  follows  :  — 

“  To  see  if  ye  town  will  Confirm  and  order  ye  road  [to]  be 
and  remain  of  ye  same  wideth  as  it  is  now  used  between 
Captain  Amos  Lawrance’s  dwelling-house  and  mr  Peter 

1  Mass.  Archives,  liv.  521.  See  Groton  during  the  Indian  Wars  (p.  169),  by 
Dr.  S.  A.  Green. 


OF  THE  LAWRENCE  FAMILY. 


91 


Stevens’s  dwelling-house  so  as  that  ye  said  Lawrance  may- 
have  ye  benefit  of  passing  and  repassing  to  and  from  his 
dwelling-house  afore  said  in  ye  severall  Paths  to  and  from  ye 
said  house  as  ye  same  are  now  Trod.” 

At  this  meeting  “  the  said  Cap4.  Lawrence  appeared 
before  the  Town  and  engaged  by  his  verbale  Promise 
to  Indemnifie  the  town  from  any  Cost  or  Charge  they 
may  be  put  to  by  reason  of  this  vote.”  At  the  same 
meeting  he  was  chosen  “  one  of  a  Comittee  to  seat 
ye  meeting  house  a  new  and  they  are  to  receive 
instructions  at  ye  next  meeting  concerning  ye  same.” 

At  a  town-meeting,  May  18,  1767,  it  was  — 

“Voted,  To  Discontinue  a  part  of  the  two  Rods  Town 
Way  leading  from  the  House  where  Jn°.  Bush  now  Dwells  to 
the  claypits  where  the  same  is  now  Trod  &  accept  by  way  of 
Exchange  that  way  which  is  now  laid  out  by  the  Select-men 
provided  Cap1  Amos  Lawrance  &  L4.  Hezekiah  Sawtell 
Charge  the  Town  Nothing  for  the  Land.  They  are  also 
allowed  the  Timber  which  is  standing  on  the  new  Road  &  to 
have  their  highway  Rates  abated  for  this  year.” 

In  1760  he  was  first  called  “captain.”  Later,  he 
was  twice  appointed  one  of  a  committee  to  reckon  with 
the  town  treasurer. 

In  the  years  immediately  preceding  the  war  for 
independence,  Capt.  Amos  Lawrence  was  a  firm 
adherent  to  the  principle  of  resistance  to  the  unjust 
measures  adopted  by  the  mother  country.  In  January, 
1 773,  as  one  of  the  selectmen  of  Groton,  he  signed  a 
warrant  for  a  town-meeting  called  “  to  consider  the 
matters  of  grievance  which  the  people  of  North 
America  and  the  inhabitants  of  this  Province  in 


92 


HISTORICAL  SKETCHES 


particular,  labor  under,  relating  to  the  violation  and 
infringement  of  their  rights  and  liberties.”  At  this 
meeting,  held  on  the  25th  of  the  month,  he  was  chosen 
one  of  a  committee  of  eleven  of  the  principal  inhab¬ 
itants,  “  to  consider  what  is  best  for  the  town  to  do, 
and  to  report  a  draft  of  votes  and  resolves  relative  to 
the  rights  of  this  Province.”  A  fortnight  later,  the 
committee  made  a  report,1  a  copy  of  which  was  sent  to 
the  Boston  Committee  of  Correspondence.  This  docu¬ 
ment  gives  eloquent  expression  to  the  enlightened 
patriotism  of  those  days,  and  is  typical  of  the  inde¬ 
pendent  and  manly  spirit  which  animated  our  ancestors) 
not  only  at  this  period,  but  throughout  the  struggle 
for  freedom.  At  a  town-meeting  held  Jan.  3,  1775,  a 
committee  of  inspection  was  chosen,  consisting  of  fifteen 
citizens,  including  Capt.  Amos  Lawrence,  who  were 
instructed  to  further  the  carrying  out  of  the  resolves  of 
the  American  Congress  Association  and  of  the  Provin¬ 
cial  Congress.  Early  in  April,  in  accordance  with  a 
vote  of  the  town,  the  names  of  certain  citizens  of  Tory 
proclivities  were  posted  in  the  public-houses  of  the 
town.  These  details  have  been  given  with  a  view  to 
emphasize  the  fact  that  Capt.  Amos  Lawrence  was  not 
only  an  efficient  town  officer,  but  was  also  fully  alive 
to  the  wider  interests  which  claimed  his  attention  as  a 
patriot. 

In  1777  he  was  one  of  a  committee  to  make 
provision  for  the  settlement  of  the  Rev.  Daniel 
Chaplin  as  minister  of  the  church  in  Groton.  In  the 
following  year  he  was  elected  a  surveyor  of  highways. 
On  March  12,  1781,  Judge  Sullivan,  Dr.  Prescott, 


1  See  Butler’s  history  for  this  report  and  subsequent  proceedings. 


OF  THE  LAWRENCE  FAMILY. 


93 


Capt.  Amos  Lawrence,  Dr.  Bancroft,  and  Lieut.  Elisha 
Rockwood  were  chosen  a  committee  “  to  consider  and 
report  what  shall  be  done  by  the  Town  to  redress  the 
grievances  complained  of  by  the  society  at  the  north 
end  of  the  Town.” 

Mrs.  Abigail  Lawrence  died  Jan.  6,  1784;  and  her 
husband’s  death  occurred  June  20,  1 785 T 


THE  HOMESTEAD  IN  GROTON, 

Now  owned  and  occupied  by  William  Peabody,  and 
situated  on  the  road  to  Ayer,  a  little  south  of  the 
point  where  the  cross-road  to  Farmer's  Row  diverges, 
has  an  interest  for  the  Lawrence  family,  on  account  of 
its  early  and  later  associations.  The  house  is  a  some¬ 
what  prominent  landmark,  because  of  its  elevated 
position  on  a  ridge  overlooking  James’s  Brook.  There 
is  nothing  in  its  outward  aspect  to  distinguish  it  from 
hundreds  of  thrifty-looking  farmhouses  scattered  over 
New  England.  To  trace  the  ownership  of  this  home¬ 
stead  from  the  days  when  the  dusky  red-man  still 
lurked  in  the  neighborhood,  has  been  a  pleasant  task. 
Ensign  Nathaniel  Lawrence  lived  here  for  some  years, 
having  purchased  it  probably  about  1683,  as  elsewhere 
stated.  Early  in  the  following  year,  he  bought  of 
John  Morse  a  four-acre  lot  adjoining  this  farm  on  the 

1  A  hall  clock  which  was  given  to  Abigail  Abbott  at  the  time  of  her  marriage 
to  Capt.  Amos  Lawrence,  in  1749,  is  now  owned  by  Abbott  Lawrence,  Esq.,  of 
Boston.  On  the  brass  face  of  the  clock  is  engraved,  “  Brand,  Boston  ”  ( England). 

The  Rev.  David  Fosdick  of  Groton,  who  married  in  1S41  Sarah  Lawrence 
Woodbury,  a  great-granddaughter  of  Capt.  Amos  Lawrence,  has  a  large  square 
table  with  turned  legs  connected  by  wooden  bars,  and  used  by  Abigail  Lawrence 
for  cutting  cloth. 


94 


HISTORICAL  SKETCHES 


east,  and  bordering  on  the  great  road  to  Boston,  and 
on  the  Indian  Hills.  (See  Appendix,  No.  5.)  After 
this,  the  estate  came  into  the  possession  of  Daniel 
Cady,  a  carpenter,  who  sold  it  May  1,  1707,  for  ^55 
in  “  currant  money,”  to  Jonathan  Whitcomb,  a  tanner. 
It  is  thus  described  at  this  time  :  — 

“a  ffour  acre  &  a  halfe  right,  house  &  Lands  ;  one  house 
Lott  and  medow  bounded  East  on  ye  Country  Road,  north 
on  Obadiah  Sawtell  and  William  Longley’s  Broad  meadow, 
west  on  ye  town  highway  and  south  on  Sam11  Scripture.” 

On  March  2,  1710,  the  place  was  sold  to  Samuel 
Barron,  husbandman,  who  owned  it  for  nearly  forty 
years,  and  who  conveyed  it,  with  other  lands,  Dec.  19, 
1748,  to  Amos  Lawrence,  cordwainer. 

Thus  the  latter,  influenced,  it  may  be,  partly  by 
practical  considerations,  and  partly  by  sentiment, 
acquired  the  former  home  of  his  grandfather  Nathaniel. 
Here  his  children,  Amos,  jun.,  Nehemiah,  and  Samuel, 
were  born,  and  also  his  grandson  Luther.  In  1785 
the  estate  was  inherited  by  the  oldest  son,  Amos,  jun. ; 
and  after  his  death,  in  1798,  it  was  assigned  to  his 
widow  Betty  and  her  children.  She  died  in  1822  ;  and 
the  farm  then  became  the  property  of  her  surviving 
son,  Asa  Lawrence,  who  continued  to  reside  there 
until  June,  1838,  at  which  time  he  left  Groton,  and 
went  to  live  with  his  only  son,  Benjamin  Franklin 
Lawmence,  near  Belvidere,  in  Boone  County,  on  the 
northern  border  of  the  State  of  Illinois.  His  death 
occurred  there  some  three  years  later.  After  1838 
the  homestead  passed  into  other  hands,  and  has  been 
since  owned  successively  by  Andrew  Shattuck,  Stowe 
Hildreth,  and  William  Peabody. 


OF  THE  LAWRENCE  FAMILY. 


95 


LIEUT.  AMOS  LAWRENCE,  Junior, 

The  eldest  son  of  Capt.  Amos  and  Abigail  (Abbott) 
Lawrence,  and  grandson  of  John  of  Lexington,  was 
born  in  Groton,  Sept.  9,  1750,  and  married  Dec.  31, 
1772,  Betty,  the  second  daughter  of  Nathan  and  Mary 
(Patterson)  Hubbard  of  Groton.  She  was  born  Dec. 
24,  1750.  They  were  admitted  to  full  communion  in 
the  church  Sept.  12,  1773.  When  the  news  of  the 
Lexington  battle  came,  Amos  Lawrence,  jun.,  marched 
to  Cambridge  with  Capt.  John  Sawtell’s  company  in 
Col.  James  Prescott’s  militia  regiment.  He  received 
payment  for  three  weeks’  service  at  this  time.  In  1776 
he  was  first  lieutenant  of  Capt.  J.  Holden’s  company, 
Sixth  Middlesex  Regiment.  He  served  the  town  as 
selectman  three  years,  and  also  as  surveyor  of  high¬ 
ways,  tithing-man,  and  warden. 

Of  his  six  children,  a  daughter  Betsey,  and  two 
sons  Amos  and  Asa,  lived  to  mature  ag-e. 

Lieut.  Amos  Lawrence,  jun.,  died  May  1,  1798,  in 
his  forty-eighth  year. 

The  inventory  of  his  estate  (Middlesex  Registry  of 
Probate,  Oct.  7,  1798)  contains  these  items:  — 

“Dwelling  house  .  .  $500;  Barn,  Cyder  mill  and 

Shed  .  $100;  Corn  House,  $20;  the  home  farm,  containing 
about  twenty-three  acres,  bounded  Northerly  on  land  of 
Sam1.  White  Esq,  Westerly  on  land  of  Amos  Davis,  Southerly 
on  land  of  Oliver  Prescott  Jnr,  Esq  ;  Easterly  on  a  town  road 
and  land  of  John  Loring,  .  .  .  $1000.  one  third  of  a 

Pew  on  the  lower  floor  of  the  Meeting  House  .  .  .  $16. 

also  one  Pew  in  the  front  Gallery,  viz.  No.  3  on  the  Men’s 
side  .  .  .  $25. 

Whole  am1,  of  Inventory  .  .  .  $2006.” 


96 


HISTORICAL  SKETCHES 


The  committee  appointed  to  appraise  the  real  estate 
of  Lieut.  Amos  Lawrence,  jun.,  assigned  to  the  widow 
Betty  — 

“the  two  rooms  in  the  westerly  end  of  the  Dwelling-house, 
with  so  much  of  the  Cellar  as  lies  under  them,  and  the 
Chambers  and  Garret  over  said  rooms,  with  the  privilege  of 
passing  up  and  down  the  front,  back  and  Cellar  Stairs  ;  also 
an  equal  privilege  in  the  Wells  and  door-yards,  and  of  the 
passage  from  without  into  the  great  Cellar,  as  may  be  neces¬ 
sary  or  convenient,  to  carry  in  Cider  or  other  produce.” 

It  appears  from  the  Groton  church  records,  that  — 

“  Betty,  wife  of  William  Abbot,  formerly  wife  of  Amos 
Lawrance,  [was]  dismissed  (May  4,  1800)  &  recommended  to 
the  church  in  Wilton  where  she  now  lives.” 


NEHEMIAH  LAWRENCE, 

The  second  son  of  Capt.  Amos,  and  grandson  of  John 
of  Lexington,  was  born  in  Groton,  Jan.  14,  1752,  and 
married  Oct.  25,  1774,  Esther,  the  third  daughter  of 
Zachariah  and  Elizabeth  (Grimes)  Fitch  of  Bedford, 
Mass.  She  was  born  Oct.  13,  1749.  Nehemiah  Law¬ 
rence  and  his  wife  owned  the  baptismal  covenant  April 
9,  1775.  Their  four,  daughters  were  born  in  Groton. 
He  was  a  Groton  minute-man,  and  a  sergeant  in  Capt. 
Farwell’s  company  in  Col.  William  Prescott’s  regiment. 
He  held  at  different  times  the  offices  of  surveyor  of 
highways,  tithing-man,  and  fence-viewer.  His  resi¬ 
dence  was  on  the  place  previously  owned  and  occupied 
by  John  Bush. 

This  farm  became  his  own  by  inheritance,  together 


OF  THE  LAWRENCE  FAMILY. 


97 


with  certain  adjacent  lands  which  his  father  had 
purchased  from  the  heirs  of  Samuel  Waldo  and  from 
James,  William,  and  Oliver  Prescott,  and  Hezekiah 
Sawtell.  Nehemiah  Lawrence  died  July  13,  1786,  in 
his  thirty-fifth  year. 

The  inventory  of  his  estate,  dated  Sept.  19  of 
the  same  year,  contains,  among  other  articles,  the 
followincr :  — 

o 

“Grey  Surtoot,  20/,  Best  Blue  coat,  Jacoat  [jacket  or 
waistcoat]  &  Breeches  60/  chocolate  colourd  Coat  &  Jacoat 
18/  Fustion  Coat,  Jacoat  &  Breeches  10/  Black  Everlast¬ 
ing  Jacoat  &  Breeches  10/.  Stock  buckle  &  two  Stocks  2/. 
silver  knee-buckles  5/.  Serge  coat  12/.  white  breeches  3/. 
9  peauter  platters  30/  25  peauter  plates  20/  5  peauter 

basons  4/4.” 


MAJOR  SAMUEL  LAWRENCE, 

The  third  and  youngest  son  of  Amos  and  Abigail 
Lawrence,  and  grandson  of  John  of  Lexington,  was 
born  in  Groton,  April  24,  1754.  His  early  life  was 
passed  on  his  father’s  farm.1 

He  was  a  corporal  in  one  of  the  Groton  companies 
of  minute-men.  Late  in  the  afternoon  of  Tuesday, 
April  18,  1775,  several  brass  cannon  arrived  in  Groton, 
having  been  sent  there  by  a  vote  of  the  Committee  of 
Safety  of  the  Provincial  Congress. 

Tradition  says2  that  the  minute-men  held  a  meeting 

In  1756  Samuel  Barron  in  his  will  bequeathed  to  Samuel  Lawrence,  then  a 
child  of  two  years,  the  sum  of  ^13  6s.  Sd.,  “if  the  sd  Samll  live  to  the  age  of 
twenty-one  years,  but  if  he  don’t  live  to  that  age,  Then  the  sd.  sum  to  be  Paid  to 
the  Two  Elder  Brothers  of  the  sd.  Samll  Lawrence,  viz:  Amos  Lawrence  and 
Nehemiah  Lawrence.” 

2  Groton  Historical  Series,  No.  XVI.,  by  Dr.  S.  A.  Green. 


98 


HISTORICAL  SKETCHES 


that  same  evening- ;  and  that  nine  of  them  set  out  after 
dark,  carrying  lighted  torches,  and,  marching  during 
the  night,  reached  Concord  very  early  on  Wednesday 
morning.  Having  breakfasted,  they  joined  the  minute- 
men  of  Concord  and  the  adjoining  towns,  and  were 
participants  in  the  fight  at  the  North  Bridge,  and  in  the 
pursuit  of  the  British  troops  as  far  as  Lexington  or 
beyond. 

The  first  intelligence  of  the  battle  of  Lexington 
reached  Groton  at  ten  o’clock  in  the  forenoon  of  the 
19th.  Samuel  Lawrence  was  at  work  ploughing  in 
the  field  near  his  home,  when  his  neighbor,  Gen. 
Oliver  Prescott,  rode  up  and  shouted,  “  Samuel, 
notify  your  men  ;  the  British  are  coming!  ”r  Mount¬ 
ing  the  general’s  horse,  the  young  farmer  rode  at  the 
utmost  speed,  calling  out  the  minute-men  who  lived 
in  his  circuit,  which  comprised  the  southerly  part  of 
the  town,  now  included  in  the  township  of  Ayer. 
After  riding  a  distance  of  seven  miles  in  forty 
minutes,  he  returned  to  his  father’s  house,  and  then 
joined  his  company  at  the  church,  where  brief  services 
were  held.  Meantime  the  selectmen,  Gen.  Oliver 
Prescott,  Col.  James  Prescott,  Capt.  Josiah  Sartell, 
Deacon  Isaac  Farnsworth,  and  Capt.  Amos  Lawrence 
had  been  distributing  arms  and  ammunition  to  the 
soldiers.  At  one  o’clock  the  two  Groton  companies, 
numbering  one  hundred  and  one  men,  commanded 
by  Capts.  Henry  Farwell  and  Asa  Lawrence,  and  the 
Pepperell  company,  were  on  the  road,  and  marched 
with  all  possible  despatch  to  Concord  and  Lexington. 

1  Diary  and  Correspondence  of  Amos  Lawrence  (p.  17).  By  William  R. 
Lawrence,  M.D. 


OF  THE  LAWRENCE  FAMILY. 


99 


Owing  to  the  distance,  they  were  not  able  to  reach 
the  scene  of  action  in  season  to  participate  in  the 
exciting  events  of  that  afternoon  ; 1  but  the  same 
evening  they  reported  at  the  headquarters  of  the 
American  army  at  Cambridge,  and  that  night,  which 
marked  the  commencement  of  the  siege,  the  Middle¬ 
sex  minute-men  were  on  duty,  guarding  the  roads 
which  led  to  Boston.2 

And  now  the  militia  from  far  and  near  hurried  to 
Cambridge.  The  farmers,  in  their  haste,  brought 
little  beside  the  clothes  they  wore,  and  their  fowling- 
pieces  and  powder-horns.  Most  of  them  had  little 
or  no  food  or  money. 

Capt.  Amos  Lawrence,  soon  after  the  eventful 
igth  of  April,  drove  from  Groton  to  the  camp, 
carrying  a  wagon- load  of  provisions  to  his  son  and 
some  of  his  neighbors,  members  ol  the  Groton 
companies.  During  the  ensuing  eight  weeks,  Samuel 
Lawrence  was,  with  his  company,  encamped  at 
Cambridge,  and  acted  as  an  orderly  to  his  colonel. 

The  regiment  from  Western  Middlesex  was  com¬ 
missioned  May  2 6.  At  twilight,  on  June  16,  three 
hundred  men  of  this  command,  including-  the  two 
Groton  companies,  and  forming  part  of  a  special 
detail  under  Col.  Prescott,  paraded  on  Cambridge 
Common.  After  dark  they  marched  by  a  direct  road 
(now  Kirkland  Street  in  Cambridge,  and  Washington 
Street  in  Somerville)  to  Charlestown  Neck,  and  thence 
to  Breed’s  Hill,  which  they  proceeded  to  intrench 
during  the  night.3  In  the  battle  of  Bunker  Hill 

o  o 

1  Butler’s  History  of  Pepperell,  p.  336. 

2  Frothingham’s  Siege  of  Boston. 

3  For  some  further  details  of  Samuel  Lawrence’s  experiences  at  Bunker 
Hill,  see  Groton  Hist.  Series,  vol.  ii.,  No.  2,  pp.  40  and  55. 


IOO 


HISTORICAL  SKETCHES 


the  following-  afternoon,  the  Groton  companies  were 
stationed  in  the  redoubt,  and  behind  the  breastwork. 
Samuel  Lawrence,  at  this  time  twenty-one  years  old, 
fought  in  the  former  position.  He  was  near  Gen. 
Warren  when  the  latter  was  shot.  When  the  British 
made  the  third  assault,  their  artillery  fire  raked  the 
line  of  the  breastwork,  and  the  Americans  stationed 
there  were  driven  inside  the  redoubt.  While  some 
of  the  British  battalions  attacked  the  southern  and 
eastern  ramparts,  others  took  possession  of  the 
deserted  breastwork ;  thus  gaining  a  position  on 
the  north  side  of  the  fort,  where  was  its  only 
entrance.  Capt.  Farwell  was  severely  wounded  about 
this  time ;  and  Samuel  Lawrence  received  a  slight 
wound  on  the  arm  from  a  spent  grape-shot,  and  a 
bullet  pierced  his  hat,  cutting  a  furrow  in  his  hair. 
He  saw  a  British  officer,  whom  he  understood  to  be 
Major  Pitcairn,  scale  the  breastwork,  and  call  to  his 
men  to  follow.  A  moment  later  the  officer  fell, 
mortally  wounded,  into  the  slight  trench  outside  the 
works. 

When  the  British  at  length  entered  the  redoubt, 
and  its  defenders  were  forced  to  retire  owing  to  lack 
of  ammunition,  Samuel  Lawrence  retreated  across  the 
brow  of  Bunker  Hill,  and  thence  over  Charlestown 
Neck  towards  Cambridge. 

He  remained  in  the  army  for  more  than  three  years 
after  the  battle  of  Bunker  Hill,  and  was  in  constant 
active  service  with  the  exception  of  two  brief  fur¬ 
loughs.  Of  the  details  of  his  army  life  we  have  but 
meagre  knowledge  ;  but  our  aim  shall  be  to  follow  the 
movements  of  the  Western  Middlesex  regiment,  with 


OF  THE  LAWRENCE  FAMILY. 


IOI 


which  he  constantly  remained.  We  know  that  during 
the  remainder  of  the  year  1775,  while  yet  a  non¬ 
commissioned  officer,  he  continued  to  serve  as  an 
orderly  to  Col.  Prescott ;  and  the  experience  gained 
in  this  capacity  must  have  been  of  value  in  his 
subsequent  military  career. 

In  the  latter  part  of  June  the  regiment  was  with 
the  centre  division  of  the  army,  encamped  at  Cam¬ 
bridge.  On  the  3d  of  July  it  was  ordered  to  take 
possession  of  the  woods  leading  to  Lechmere’s  Point 
(East  Cambridge)  ;  and  about  the  10th  of  the  month 
it  was  stationed  at  Sewall’s  Point,  on  the  south  bank 
of  Charles  River,  and  near  the  present  Cottage 
Farm  railroad  station.  Here  was  built  an  extensive 
redoubt,  known  as  “  Brookline  Fort,”  which  was  of 
irregular  shape  and  very  strong.1  Connected  with  it 
were  barracks  for  some  four  hundred  men.  On  the 
opposite  bank  of  the  river,  to  the  north-east,  was  a 
battery  mounting  three  guns ;  and  on  the  south, 
between  Brookline  Fort  and  Muddy  River,  on  the 
present  site  of  the  Fongwood  Schoolhouse,  were 
placed  a  small  redoubt  and  a  battery,  —  all  forming 
part  of  the  semicircular  fortified  line  which  invested 
Boston.  The  regiment  occupied  a  part  of  the  Sewall 
Farm,2  including  the  grove  to  the  north  of  the  resi¬ 
dence  of  the  late  Amos  A.  Fawrence.  Col.  Prescott 


1  This  redoubt  was  preserved  in  good  condition  until  1835,  when  the  Boston 
and  Worcester  Railroad,  whose  course  lay  directly  through  it,  was  constructed. 
Afterwards  Abbott’s  Wharf  was  built  upon  its  water-front,  and  nothing  remained 
but  the  well  on  the  left  of  the  driveway  to  the  wharf,  and  the  old  ovens  in  a 
corner  of  the  estate  of  A.  A.  Lawrence ;  and  even  these  have  now  disappeared.  — 
Historical  Sketches  of  Brookline ,  Mass.  By  Harriet  F.  Woods. 

2  Mass.  Hist.  Soc.  Proceedings,  1869-70. 


102 


HISTORICAL  SKETCHES 


had  his  headquarters  at  the  house  of  Mr.  Edward  K. 
Wolcott,  a  son-in-law  of  Mr.  Henry  Sewall,  jun. 

This  house  is  situated  on  Beacon  Street  in  Brook¬ 
line,  about  three-quarters  of  a  mile  west  of  the 
Boston  line,  and  now  forms  part  of  the  Stearns 
estate.  On  July  22,  by  order  of  Gen.  Washington, 
the  regiment  was  attached  to  a  new  brigade, 
commanded  by  Brig.-Gen.  Heath.  It  appears  to 
have  remained  at  Sewall’s  Point  most  of  the  time 
until  the  following  March,  and  was  now  known  as 
the  Seventh  Regiment  of  Foot.  On  Jan.  1,  1776,  the 
date  of  organization  of  the  new  Continental  army, 
Samuel  Lawrence  received  a  commission  as  ensign 
of  one  of  the  Groton  companies,  commanded  by 
Capt.  Joseph  Moors.  On  the  twenty-ninth  day  of 
March  following,  twelve  days  after  the  evacuation 
of  Boston  by  the  British,  six  regiments  of  foot,  includ¬ 
ing  Prescott’s,  started  for  New  York  under  command 
of  Gen.  Sullivan.  They  marched  to  Norwich,  Conn., 
and  thence  to  New  London,  where  they  embarked  on 
the  Sound.  Previous  to  their  departure,  the  regi¬ 
mental  commanders  received  a  special  exhortation 
from  Gen.  Washington1  to  “spruce  up”  their  men, 
as  they  were  about  to  join  the  troops  from  other 
colonies,  and  it  was  desirable  that  they  should  present 
as  creditable  an  appearance  as  possible.  After  remain¬ 
ing  a  few  days  in  New- York  City,  the  regiment  was 
stationed  at  Governor’s  Island  in  the  harbor,  where 
Fort  Columbus  had  been  built  by  the  British  in  1684  ; 
and  here  they  remained  in  garrison  until  the  end  of 
the  summer. 


1  Force’s  Archives. 


OF  THE  LAWRENCE  FAMILY.  103 

On  July  3,  the  day  before  the  Declaration  of  Inde¬ 
pendence,  the  commissioned  officers  of  the  regiment 
wrote  a  letter  to  Gen.  Heath,  in  which  they  expressed 
their  determination  to  fight  to  the  last  in  defence  of 
their  country,  and  urged  the  need  of  re-enforcements 
to  their  little  garrison.  After  the  battle  of  Long  Island, 
Aug.  27,  and  the  retreat  of  the  Americans  two  days 
later,  Col.  Prescott  withdrew  his  regiment  from  the 
island  in  excellent  order,  and  joined  the  army  at  New 
York. 

This  manoeuvre  w’as  skilfully  executed;  for  the  regi¬ 
ment  was  in  almost  as  great  danger  of  being  captured 
as  at  Bunker  Hill,1  and  its  escape  was  largely  due  to 
Lord  Howe’s  failure  to  take  immediate  advantage  of 
the  defeat  of  Washington’s  army.  On  the  very  day 
of  the  withdrawal  of  the  regiment,  Aug.  30,  the  British 
fleet  under  Admiral  Howe  anchored  close  to  Governor’s 
Island. 

After  the  evacuation  of  the  city  of  New  York  by 
the  Americans  in  the  middle  of  September,  the  Middle¬ 
sex  regiment  was  encamped  with  the  army  at  Harlem 
Heights,  and  early  in  October  it  was  posted  on  the 
bank  of  the  Harlem  River  near  King’s  Bridge.  From 
a  return  of  the  commissioned  officers  dated  the  4th 
of  the  month,  it  appears  that  many  of  their  number 
were  off  duty  by  reason  of  sickness ;  but  we  find  that 
Ensign  Samuel  Lawrence  was  “  on  command.”  On 
the  1 2th  of  the  month  some  four  thousand  British 
troops  landed  at  Throgg’s  Point,  the  end  of  a  peninsula 
which  projects  into  the  sound  nearly  opposite  White¬ 
hall,  and  about  fifteen  miles  easterly  from  New-York 


1  Bancroft’s  History  of  the  United  States,  vol.  ix. 


104 


HIS  TO  RICA  L  SKETCHES 


City.  Acting  under  orders  from  the  commander- 
in-chief,  Gen.  Heath  sent  a  detachment,  including 
Prescott’s  regiment,  some  riflemen,  and  a  field-piece, 
to  oppose  the  progress  of  the  enemy.  The  latter 
attempted  to  push  forward  towards  a  causeway  and 
bridge  which  connected  Throgg’s  Neck  with  the  main 
land  of  Westchester  County,  but  were  driven  back 
by  the  riflemen,  assisted  by  Prescott’s  regiment  and 
the  field-piece.1  The  British  forces  then  encamped 
for  five  days  on  the  peninsula,  after  which  they 
re-embarked.  Meantime  the  Middlesex  regiment, 
strongly  intrenched,  had  guarded  the  approach  to  the 
interior  ;  and  on  the  17th  it  was  ordered  to  Fort  Inde¬ 
pendence,  near  King’s  Bridge,  and  thence  four  days 
later  it  marched  with  Parsons’  brigade  of  Heath’s 
division  to  White  Plains,  where  the  American  army 
remained  in  a  fortified  camp  near  the  village  until  the 
end  of  the  month.  The  enemy  meanwhile  occupied 
a  position  on  neighboring  hills,  eastward  of  the  Bronx 
River.  On  Oct.  31  the  army  continued  its  northward 
march,  and  reached  North-Castle  Heights  near  Tarry- 
town.2  A  return  of  this  date  shows  that  more  than 
one-half  of  the  commissioned  officers  of  Prescott’s 
regiment  were  on  the  sick-list. 

On  the  evening  of  Nov.  10  the  regiment  arrived  at 
Peekskill,  and  on  the  13th  was  encamped  about  two 
miles  above  the  town,  at  a  narrow  defile  of  the  moun¬ 
tains.  This  position  was  of  a  great  strategic  impor¬ 
tance,  as  it  commanded  the  southern  entrance  to  the 
Highlands  of  the  Hudson.  To  fortify  and  defend  the 
pass,  was  the  duty  assigned  the  Middlesex  minute-men. 

1  Irving’s  Washington.  Heath’s  Memoirs.  2  Lossing’s  Field-book. 


OF  THE  LAWRENCE  FAMILY.  105 

On  about  the  10th  of  December,  Prescott’s  regiment 
was  sent  across  the  river  into  New  Jersey,  and  four 
days  later  was  at  Hackensack  Bridge,  near  Bergen. 
On  the  1 6th  it  returned  to  Peekskill,  and  remained  for 
many  weeks  in  that  vicinity.  During  the  month  of 
January,  1777,  Prescott’s  regiment  marched  with  an 
expedition  under  Gen.  Heath  to  King’s  Bridge,  but 
had  hardly  arrived  at  that  point  when  it  was  ordered 
to  retrace  its  steps,  and  return  to  its  former  post  at 
the  Highlands.  Here,  in  the  neighborhood  of  Peeks¬ 
kill,  the  regiment  remained  until  the  early  summer. 
Meantime  Col.  Prescott  resigned  his  commission,  and 
retired  from  the  army ;  and  the  command  devolved 
upon  the  lieutenant-colonel,  John  Robinson  of  West- 
ford.  About  the  1st  of  July  the  regiment  was  trans¬ 
ferred  to  Rhode  Island,  and  stationed  at  North 
Kingston  ;  and  we  learn  from  a  muster-roll  of  this 
date,  that  Samuel  Lawrence  was  now  a  second  lieuten¬ 
ant  in  Capt.  Nathaniel  Lakin’s  company. 

The  regiment  appears  to  have  been  ordered  to 
Cambridge  for  a  few  days  in  July  ; 1  and  Lieut.  Lawrence 
obtained  a  brief  leave  of  absence,  and  hastened  to 
Groton  for  the  express  purpose  of  marrying  Susanna 
Parker,  a  young  lady  whom  he  had  known  from 
childhood,  and  to  whom  he  had  been  for  some  two 
years  engaged.  His  mother,  Abigail  Abbott  Law¬ 
rence,  favored  an  immediate  union,  in  view  of  the 
vicissitudes  of  war.  “  Susan  had  better  be  Sam’s 
widow,”  she  said,  “  than  his  forlorn  damsel.”  On  the 
2 2d  of  July,  while  the  marriage  ceremony  was  in 
progress,  the  alarm-bell  was  heard,  again  summoning 

1  Diary  and  Correspondence  of  Amos  Lawrence  (p.  18).  By  William  R. 
Lawrence,  M.D. 


io6 


HISTORICAL  SKETCHES 


all  soldiers  to  arms.  This  alarm  was  probably  caused 
by  the  continued  southward  march  of  Gen.  Burgoyne’s 
army  from  Canada.  Ticonderoga  had  fallen,  and  the 
northern  States  were  aroused  to  a  sense  of  danger. 
Within  the  hour  the  bridegroom  was  on  his  way  to 
the  camp  at  Cambridge.  Col.  Robinson,  on  learning 
the  peculiar  circumstances  of  his  marriage,  granted  the 
lieutenant  a  furlough  ;  and  he  was  thus  enabled  to 
return  to  his  wife  for  a  brief  visit,  afterwards  rejoining 
his  regiment  then  at  North  Kingston.  Here  he  was 
stationed  during  the  autumn  and  winter  following. 
On  Dec.  31,  1777,  he  again  returned  to  his  home  for 
a  brief  visit,  and  was  present  at  the  ordination  of  the 
Rev.  Daniel  Chaplin  as  pastor  of  the  Groton  church. 

During  the  year  1778,  Rhode  Island  was  to  be  the 
scene  of  active  military  operations.  The  Middlesex 
minute-men,  after  a  long  period  of  forced  inactivity, 
were  to  take  part  in  the  summer  campaign  of  that 
year.  On  the  seventh  day  of  August,  while  at  Tiverton, 
Samuel  Lawrence  was  commissioned  adjutant  of  the 
regiment  commanded  by  Col.  William  McIntosh.  For 
this  position  he  was  well  qualified  by  more  than  three 
years  of  continuous  military  training,  and  also  by 
reason  of  his  stentorian  lungs  and  far-reaching  voice. 
Fie  was  for  a  time  attached  to  the  staff  of  Gen. 
Sullivan,  and  soon  afterward  was  promoted  to  be 
major.  On  the  9th  of  August  the  American  forces 
crossed  the  Seaconnet  Channel,  and  landed  on  the 
north  end  of  the  island  of  Rhode  Island.  The  few 
British  troops  stationed  at  this  point  thereupon 
retreated,  and  the  Americans  followed,  expecting  to 
co-operate  with  the  French  fleet  under  Count  d’Estaing 


OF  THE  LAWRENCE  FAMILY. 


107 


in  an  attack  upon  Newport.  Owing  to  the  failure 
of  the  fleet  to  render  assistance,  Gen.  Sullivan  com¬ 
menced  a  retreat  on  the  night  of  the  28th,  and  the 
British  pursued  the  following  morning.  On  this  day 
was  fought  the  battle  of  Quaker  Hill. 

In  an  engagement  at  about  this  time,  Samuel 
Lawrence  became  separated  from  his  command,  and 
was  in  imminent  danger  of  being  captured  by  the 
enemy.  He  was,  however,  rescued  by  the  bravery  of  a 
company  of  colored  troops,  who  rallied  to  his  support 
and  held  the  British  soldiers  at  bay,  while  he,  urging 
forward  "his  powerful  steed,  was  enabled  to  escape.  It 
is  probable  that  this  company  was  a  part  of  Col.  Greene’s 
black  regiment,  which  had  be.en  recently  organized 
by  a  vote  of  the  Rhode  Island  general  assembly.  It 
is  a  matter  of  history  that  this  command  distinguished 
itself  in  this  battle  by  repelling  with  great  gallantry 
successive  charges  of  the  Hessians.  We  quote  the 
words  of  another1  on  this  point :  — 

“There  is  abundant  evidence  of  the  fidelity  and  bravery  of 
the  colored  patriots  of  Rhode  Island  during  the  whole  war. 
Before  they  had  been  formed  into  a  separate  regiment,  they 
had  fought  valiantly  with  the  white  soldiers  at  Red  Bank  and 
elsewhere.  Their  conduct  at  the ‘battle  of  Rhode  Island,’ 
on  the  29th  of  August,  1778,  entitles  them  to  perpetual  honor. 
Its  success  was  owing,  in  a  great  degree,  to  the  good  fighting 
of  the  negro  soldiers.” 


The  campaign  ended  with  the  battle  of  “Quaker 
Hill,”  or  “  Rhode  Island,”  and  the  retreat  of  the  Amer¬ 
icans  to  the  mainland.  The  news  of  a  battle  soon 
reached  Groton,  and  a  fond  mother  remarked  that  she 


George  Livermore. 


io8 


HIS T ORICA L  SKETCHES 


“did  not  know  but  Sam  was  killed,”  whereat  the 
young  wife  fell  senseless  to  the  floor.  A  few  days 
after  this,  Major  Samuel  Lawrence  returned  home, 
having  resigned  his  commission  and  left  the  army. 
The  date  of  his  discharge  was  Sept.  12.  His  wife 
Susanna  was  living  at  his  father’s  home,  his  own 
birthplace,  the  present  William  Peabody  farm,  which 
at  this  time  was  also  the  residence  of  his  brother 
Amos,  jun.,  and  family.  Here  his  oldest  child  Luther 
was  born,  Sept.  28,  1778.  Soon  after  this  Samuel 
Lawrence  occupied  the  Tarbell  place  on  Farmer’s 
Row.  On  the  decease  of  Capt.  Samuel  Tarbell,  his 
farm  was  divided  into  nine  shares,  which  were  appor¬ 
tioned  to  the  heirs-at-law.  Between  the  years  1778 
and  1782,  Capt.  Amos  Lawrence  purchased  all  these 
shares  separately,  including  two  belonging  to  Samuel 
Tarbell,  jun.,  which  had  been  confiscated  by  the  Com¬ 
monwealth  in  payment  of  a  debt.  The  entire  estate 
was  inherited  by  Major  Samuel  Lawrence  in  1785. 

The  old  Tarbell  dwelling,  in  which  most  of  his 
children  were  born,  was  taken  down  in  1796;  and 
the  oldest  portion  of  the  present  mansion,  where  the 
youngest  child,  Samuel,  jun.,  was  born  in  1801,  was 
erected  soon  after  on  the  same  foundations.1  While 
this  oldest  part  was  in  process  of  building,  the  family 
occupied  a  tenement  of  Capt.  Farwell’s,  which  stood 
just  north  of  their  own  dwelling.2 

1  Letter  from  Samuel  Lawrence  of  Stockbridge  to  James  Lawrence,  1S76. 

2  Mrs.  Norman  Seaver  of  Rutland,  Vt.,  the  oldest  child  of  the  Hon.  Luther 
Lawrence,  writes  me  ( 1887)  that  the  family  moved  into  the  new  house  when  Eliza, 
the  eighth  child  (afterwards  Mrs.  Joshua  Green),  was  five  months  old.  This  was 
in  August,  1796. 

Letter  of  Amos  Lawrence  of  Boston  to  the  Hon.  William  Sullivan,  1834. 


! 


OF  THE  LAWRENCE  FAMILY. 


109 


After  Deacon  Samuel  Lawrence’s  death  in  1827,  the 
farm  was  owned  by  his  sons  till  their  mother’s  death 
in  1845.  It  then  became  the  property  of  the  Hon. 
Abbott  Lawrence,  and  afterwards  was  owned  by  his 
son  James.  It  is  now  the  residence  of  a  son  of  the 
latter,  James  Lawrence,  Esq.,  by  whom  it  has  been 
greatly  enlarged  and  improved.  The  Lawrence  farm 
has  now  a  more  than  local  reputation.  The  old  elm, 
still  standing  in  the  front  yard,  was  fully  grown  in 
Revolutionary  times,  and  must  be  in  the  neighborhood 
of  two  hundred  years  old. 

Like  his  father,  Samuel  Lawrence  early  became 
identified  with  the  interests  of  the  town  ;  and  we  find 
his  name,  in  17S1,  as  one  of  a  committee  to  reckon 
with  the  town  treasurer  —  a  position  to  which  he  was 
afterwards  frequently  re-appointed.  The  same  year 
he  was  a  member  of  a  committee  “to  receive  the  claims 
of  the  soldiers,  and  estimate  the  depreciation  of  the 
money.”  He  held  nearly  all  the  important  town  offices 
at  different  times,  serving  as  assessor  six  years,  and  as 
“first  select-man”  and  town  clerk  four  years  from 
1795.  He  was  repeatedly  chosen  a  surveyor  of  high¬ 
ways,  and  twice  officiated  as  moderator  of  town- 
meetings.  In  February,  1819,  he  was  a  delegate  from 
the  church  in  Groton  to  an  ecclesiastical  council 
convened  at  Shirley.  He  was  a  member  of  the  school 
committee  three  years,  and  occupied  that  position  as 
late  as  the  year  1823.  In  1802  he  was  a  director  and 
inspector  of  the  small-pox  hospital.  His  services  were 
frequently  sought  by  his  fellow-citizens  in  matters 
pertaining  to  the  town  finances,  and  in  the  management 
of  schools.  When  twenty-nine  years  of  age,  he  was 


,  no 


HISTORICAL  SKETCHES 


chosen  a  deacon  of  the  church,  and  retained  the  office 
for  more  than  forty  years.  He  was  also  a  justice  of  the 
peace.  Samuel  Lawrence  was  by  occupation  a  farmer, 
well-to-do  though  never  affluent.  Both  he  and  his 
wife  had  a  keen  appreciation  of  the  importance  and 
value  of  a  sound  education,  and  made  every  exertion 
to  secure  this  advantage  for  their  nine  children.  The 
latter  attended  first  the  neighboring  district  school, 
and  later  all  were  sent  to  the  academy. 

Of  this  institution  he  was  one  of  the  founders,  and 
for  twenty-seven  years  a  trustee.  In  its  welfare  he 
always  took  a  deep  interest  and  pride.  In  later  years 
it  was  liberally  endowed  by  two  of  his  sons,  and  it 
was  then  called  the  “Lawrence  Academy.”1  Samuel 
Lawrence  was  frequently  called  upon  to  arbitrate  when 
controversies  or  disputes  arose  among  the  townspeople. 
“  Such  matters  were  invariably  referred  to  him.”  Such 
is  the  testimony  of  aged  residents  of  Groton,  who 
speak  from  personal  recollection. 

His  hospitality  was  proverbial ;  and  the  house  was  a 
favorite  resort  of  his  fellow-soldiers  of  Revolutionary 
times,  who  were  wont  there  to  meet  and  live  over 
again  in  imagination  the  eventful  experiences  of  their 
younger  days. 

The  thrilling  stories  there  often  repeated  were 
naturally  of  profound  interest  to  the  children  of  the 
household,  and  in  after  years  were  among  their  most 
vivid  recollections.  Deacon  Lawrence  was  an  intimate 
friend  and  associate  of  his  former  commander,  Col. 


1  The  writer’s  father,  William  R.  Lawrence,  M.D.,  was  a  student  in  the 
academy  in  1820;  and  his  brothers,  Francis  W.  Lawrence,  Esq.,  and  the  Rev. 
Arthur  I.awrence,  received  instruction  there  in  1S49. 


OF  THE  LAWRENCE  FAMILY. 


Ill’ 


William  Prescott;  and,  living  in  adjoining  towns,  they 
frequently  exchanged  visits,  and  always  attended  the 
old-fashioned  muster  together.  It  appears  that 
Samuel  Lawrence  sometimes  furnished  employment 
to  apprentices  and  journeymen  shoemakers,  probably 
in  the  winter  Season,  or  when  there  was  but  little 
work  to  be  done  on  the  farm.  In  personal  appearance, 
he  is  described  as  a  short  and  rather  stout,  white-haired 
man.  His  finely  shaped  head  was  well  set  on  his 
shoulders,  and  his  figure  was  erect  and  military.  Genial 
and  pleasant  tempered,  he  was  a  favorite  alike  with 
young  and  old.  “Always  on  Sundays  in  the  deacon’s 
pew  in  front  of  the  pulpit  in  the  old  church.”  In  all 
the  relations  of  life  he  was  faithful  and  conscientious, 
and  he  possessed  the  respect  and  affection  of  his 
neighbors  and  fellow-townsmen.  He  was  held  in  good 
repute  in  the  community  wherein  he  lived,  and  his 
character  did  not  belie  his  reputation.  Of  sterling 
integrity,  he  did  not  swerve  from  the  path  of  duty,  but 
guarded  with  jealous  care  the  heritage  of  an  honorable 
name.  His  sons  won  great  distinction,  and  their  fame 
went  abroad;  but  it  should  never  be  forgotten  that 
the  corner-stone  of  their  success  was  the  moral  and 
religious  training  received  in  their  youth  at  the  old 
homestead  in  Groton.  Samuel  Lawrence  was  present 
at  the  laying  of  the  corner-stone  of  Bunker-hill 
Monument  in  1825  ;  and  the  fatigue  and  excitement 
attendant  upon  a  week’s  visit  in  Boston  at  that  time 
were  the  apparent  cause  of  a  paralytic  affection,  which 
resulted  in  his  death,  Nov.  8,  1827,  in  his  seventy- 
fourth  year. 


I  12 


HISTORICAL  SKETCHES 


An  old  cradle,  now  in  the  possession  of  Mrs.  Amos 
A.  Lawrence,  is  one  of  the  most  interesting  family 
relics  which  have  been  preserved.  The  Rev.  William 
Lawrence  writes  in  regard  to  a  tradition  of  this  cradle : 
“  When  Major  Sam  Lawrence  and  family  moved  from 
the  original  home  to  the  farm  now  occupied  by  James 
Lawrence,  the  cradle  was  found  in  the  house  which 
formerly  belonged  to  the  Tarbells.”  It  is  certain  that 
some  of  Major  Lawrence’s  children  were  rocked  to 
sleep  in  this  old  cradle,  whose  record  of  useful  service 
extends  nearly  to  the  present  time. 

The  hat  worn  by  Samuel  Lawrence  at  the  battle  of 
Bunker  Hill,  and  which  was  perforated  by  a  British 
bullet,  was  preserved  until  the  year  1796.  It  was  lost 
when  the  old  Tarbell  house  in  Groton  was  pulled  down. 
His  musket  is  in  the  possession  of  Prescott  Lawrence, 
Esq. 

Among  the  Revolutionary  relics  on  exhibition  at  the 
Old  South  Church  in  Boston,  may  be  seen  a  leathern 
wallet  (size  about  6x3  inches)  marked  “  S.  Lawrance 
of  Groton,  1775.”  It  has  also  the  following  inscrip¬ 
tion  :  “  Pocket-book  used  by  Major  Sam1.  Lawrence 
while  adjutant  (1775-6)  for  carrying  orders.  The 
name  was  written  by  himself.”  James  Lawrence,  Esq., 
has  two  old  Bibles,  formerly  the  property  of  Deacon 
Lawrence,  and  containing  valuable  family  records  in 
the  latter’s  handwriting.  Abbott  Lawrence,  Esq.,  has 
his  toddy-stick. 

Among  the  Massachusetts  Revolutionary  muster- 
rolls  on  file  at  the  office  of  the  Secretary  of  State  is 
the  following  (vol.  ii.  p.  184)  :  — 


OF  THE  LAWRENCE  FAMILY. 


1 13 


“  Muster  Roll  of  Capt.  Nath1-1  Lakins  company  in  the 
service  of  the  United  States  Commanded  by  Col0.  John 
Robinson  engaged  for  Six  Months  from  July  1st,  1 777  taken 
to  Dec’r  18th,  1 777.” 

Then  follow  the  names  of  the  rank  and  file. 

The  officers  were  :  — 


“  Commissioned 

June  27th.  1777. 
North  Kingston.  Decr.  18th 
1777 


Nath’l  Lakin  Captain 
(on  Furlough) 

John  Chaney,  1st  Lieut. 
Sam1  Lawrence,  2nd  Lieut. 
Ephraim  Brown,  Ensign.” 


On  the  margin  is  the  following  note  :  “  taken  from 
the  papers  of  Susana  Lawrence  and  of  Lieut.  Sam 
Lawrence.”  And  on  the  back  of  the  roll  is  written  :  — 


“We  do  sware  that  the  within  Muster  Roll  is  a  True 
State  of  the  Company  Without  Fraud  to  these  United  States 
or  any  Individuals  acording  to  the  Best  of  our  knowledge. 

John  Chaney  Lieut.  ) 
Sam'.  Lawrance  Lieut.  )  ” 

Among  the  Revolutionary  muster-rolls  (vol.  iii.  p.19) 
is  the  following  :  — 

o 

“  Pay  Roll  of  Bounty  due  to  Capt.  John  Nutting’s  compr 
in  Col0  Wm  MTntosh’s  Regt  Gen1  Lovels  Brigade  Militia 
from  the  State  of  the  Massachusetts  Bay  on  an  experdition  to 
Rhod-Island  in  July,  Augh  &  Sepr.  1778.” 

And  in  the  list  of  officers  we  find  the  name  of 
“  Sam11  Lawrance,  Adjt.  Date  of  Ingagement,  July 
30th.  Date  of  Discharge,  Sept.  12th.” 


HISTORICAL  SKETCHES 


1 14 


Copies  of  two  commissions  issued  to  Samuel 
Lawrence,  the  originals  being  in  the  possession  of 
Abbott  Lawrence,  Esq.  :  — 


In  CONGRESS. 


The  Delegates  of  the  United  Colonies  of  New-Hampfhire, 
Maffachufetts-Bay,  Rhode-Bland,  Connecticut,  New-York, 
New-Jerfey,  Pennfylvania,  the  Counties  of  New-Caftle, 
Kent,  and  Suffex  on  Delaware,  Maryland,  Virginia,  North- 
Carolina,  and  South  Carolina,  to 


Samuel  Lawrence,  Gentleman. 

efpecial  Truft  and  Confidence  in  your 
rarriouim,  Valour,  Conduct,  and  Fidelity,  DO  by  thefe 


VV 


Prefents,  conftitute  and  appoint  you  to  be  Ensign  of  Captain 
Joseph  Mores  Company  in  the  7th  Regiment  of  Foot  com¬ 
manded  by  Colonel  William  prescott  in  the  Army  of  the 
United  Colonies,  railed  for  the  Defence  of  American  Liberty, 
and  for  repelling  every  hoftile  Invafion  thereof.  You  are 
therefore  carefully  and  diligently  to  difcharge  the  Duty  of 
Ensign  by  doing  and  performing  all  Manner  of  Things  there¬ 
unto  belonging.  And  we  do  ftrictly  charge  and  require  all 
Officers  and  Soldiers  under  your  Command,  to  be  obedient  to 
your  Orders  as  Ensign  And  you  are  to  obferve  and  follow 
fuch  Orders  and  Directions  from  Time  to  Time,  as  you  fhall 
receive  from  this  or  a  future  Congrefs  of  the  United  Colonies, 
or  Committee  of  Congrefs,  for  that  Purpofe  appointed,  or 
Commander  in  Chief  for  the  Time  being  of  the  Army  of  the 
United  Colonies,  or  any  other  your  fuperior  Officer,  according 
to  the  Rules  and  Difcipline  of  War,  in  Pursuance  of  the  Truft 
repofed  in  you.  This  Commiffion  to  continue  in  Force  until 
revoked  by  this  or  a  future  Congrefs.  Jany  1,  1776. 


By  order  of  the  Congrefs, 

John  FTancock  President. 


Atteft.  Chas  Thomson  secy. 


OF  THE  LAWRENCE  FAMILY. 


1 15 


State  of  Massachusetts  Bay. 

In  New  England. 

by  the  Field  officers  of  a  Regiment  raised  by  sd.  State 

For  the  defence  of  Emerican  \sic\  Liberties 
To  Sam11  Lavvrance[,]  Gentellman[:]  Greeting. 

By  Virtue  of  the  Power  Invested  in  us  we  do  by  these 
Presents  reposing  Special  Trust  and  Confidence  in  Your 
Loyalty  Co[u]rage  and  good  Conduct  Constitute  and  Appoint 
you  Adjutant  of  the  Regiment  Commanded  by  William 
Mc.Intash  Esqr.  Col0,  you  are  therefore  Car[e]fully  and 
Diligently  to  discharge  the  duty  of  an  Adj1.  in  sd.  Reg4.  And 
you  are  to  Observe  and  follow  such  orders  and  Instructions 
as  you  shall  from  time  to  time  receive  from  your  Superior 
officers.  .  .  . 

For  which  this  shall  be  your  Sufficient  warrent. 

Given  Under  our  hands  att  Tiverton  this  Seventh  day  of 
August  1778. 

W“  MTntosh  Col°. 

John  Buttrick  L4  Col0. 

Jona  Minot  Major. 

Copy  of  a  letter  from  Major  Samuel  Lawrence  to 
the  Hon.  Timothy  Bigelow,  the  original  being  in  the 
possession  of  James  Lawrence,  Esq. :  — 

Groton,  22  Jan’y.  1799. 

My  good  Friend 

Sir,  My  brother  afsefsors  and  myself  are  now  at  Cap  . 
Richardson’s.  Likewise  the  Trustees  of  Groton  Ac.dr,  [it] 
being  one  of  our  quarterly  meetings.  Three  from  Peppered  and 
four  from  Groton  are  the  whole  which  composed  the  Board. 
[I]  also  congratulate  your  Honour  for  the  good  news  of  our 
eastward  lands.  We  have  had  a  number  of  very  agreeable 
evening  visits  since  you  left  Groton.  [I]  only  mention  one  at 
your  hd.  father’s,  among  which  \sic]  your  Dearly  beloved  made 


HISTORICAL  SKETCHES 


1 16 

one  of  the  Company.  I  want  to  see  you  at  Groton.  Sir,  I 
shall  take  it  as  a  favor  if  you  will  be  so  kind  as  to  think  of 
some  matters  you  and  I  have  conversed  upon  heretofore,  you 
will  much  oblidge  your  friend  and  Humb,e  serv1, 

In  the  greatest  haste 

Sam1  Lawrance. 

Honble  T.  Bigelow  Esq. 


SUSANNA  PARKER  LAWRENCE 

Was  the  eldest  of  three  daughters  of  William  and 
Sarah  Parker,  and  was  born  in  Groton  Oct.  io,  1 7 5 5 -1 
Her  father’s  homestead  was  about  half  a  mile  west  of 
the  point  where  the  “  Red  Bridge  ”  spans  the  Nashua 
River.  The  house  was  situated  just  north  of  the  town 
poor-farm,  on  the  road  leading  to  the  latter  from  the 
West- Groton  highway.  Here  were  passed  the  days  of 
her  childhood.  Her  father,  William  Parker,  died  Feb. 
1,  1761  ; 2  and  her  mother  married  (July  23,  1767),  for 
her  third  husband,  David  Taylor  of  Concord,  and  with 
her  children  made  a  new  home  in  that  town.  The 
Taylor  residence  was  in  the  “  east  quarter,”  so-called, 
about  one  mile  from  the  centre,  and  near  Meriam’s 
corner,  where  a  cross-road  to  Bedford  diverges.  As  a 
result  of  interviews  with  several  old  residents  of  the 
neighborhood,  the  writer  learned  that  the  house 
occupied  by  the  Taylors  was  taken  down  about  1830. 

1  William  Parker  first  married  (March  30,  1736)  Susanna  Kemp  of  Groton, 
by  whom  he  had  six  children.  He  married  for  his  second  wife  (Jan.  9,  1755) 
Sarah  Richardson  of  Pepperell.  She  was  born  in  1721,  and  was  the  oldest  child 
of  Nathaniel  and  Hannah  (Perham)  Boynton  of  Westford,  and  widow  of  Abiel 
Richardson. 

The  writer  is  indebted  to  Dr.  S.  A.  Green  for  valuable  memoranda  relating 
to  the  parents  of  Susanna  Parker. 

2  See  p.  1 19  for  extracts  from  his  will. 


OF  THE  LAWRENCE  FAMILY. 


ii  7 

It  was  a  large  structure,  situated  a  few  rods  west  of 
Meriam’s  corner,  and  standing  so  near  the  road  that 
the  front  door  opened  upon  the  sidewalk,  while 
immediately  behind  the  house  loomed  up  the  sandy 
ridge  which  stretches  away  for  a  mile  westward  to  the 
centre  of  old  Concord.  In  this  same  ridge,  we  are 
told,  the  early  settlers  found  refuge  in  caves.  The  old 
Meriam  house,  on  the  east  side  of  the  Bedford  road,  is 
still  standing. 

The  Taylor  estate  is  thus  described  in  a  deed  of 
March  25,  1 7 5 7  :  — 

Joseph  Taylor  conveys  to  David  Taylor  of  Concord, 
yeoman,  “a  Dwelling-house  and  barn  with  the  land  on  which 
the  same  standeth,  bounded  Southerly  on  the  County  road, 
westerly  on  Samuel  Ball’s  land,  northerly  by  land  called  the 
Horse  Pasture,  easterly  by  land  of  Nathan  Merriam,  contain¬ 
ing  two  acres  be  it  more  or  less.”  —  Middlesex  Registry  of 
Deeds,  fol.  62,  p.  106. 

At  sunrise  on  April  19,  1775,  the  members  of  the 
Taylor  household  plainly  saw  the  red  coats  and 
gleaming  bayonets  of  the  British  regulars,  as  they  came 
marching  over  a  hill  in  the  north  part  of  Lincoln, 
about  midway  between  Lexington  and  Concord. 

Mrs.  Taylor  and  her  children  then  left  their  home, 
and  passing  over  the  fields  sought  a  safe  retreat  on  a 
hill  in  the  rear  of  the  house,  from  which  they  were 
eye-witnesses  of  the  exciting  events  which  occurred 
later  in  the  day.  When,  on  their  retreat  soon  after 
noon,  the  British  reached  Meriam’s  corner,  they  were 
attacked  by  a  company  of  minute-men  from  Reading ; 
and  three  of  their  number  were  left,  fatally  wounded, 


I  IS 


HIS  TO  RJ  CAL  SKETCHES 


by  the  roadside,  within  a  short  distance  of  the  Taylor 
mansion.  Later  in  the  afternoon  of  the  same  eventful 
day,  the  Groton  companies  were  marching  along  the 
same  road,  hastening  on  to  Lexington  and  Cambridge. 

Susanna  Parker  was  at  that  time  nineteen  years  of 
age.  She  was  an  ardent  patriot  ;  and,  like  all  true 
American  women,  she  was  devoted  heart  and  soul  to 
the  cause  of  the  Colonies.  Doubtless  her  influence 
and  the  knowledge  of  her  intense  loyalty  were  a 
constant  inspiration  to  her  lover  in  those  gloomy  times. 

A  prominent  attribute  of  her  character  was  energy. 
Starting  early  from  Concord,  on  horseback,  she  was 
accustomed  to  ride  to  Charlestown  ;  and  thence  crossing 
the  ferry  to  Boston,1  she  would  accomplish  her  shop¬ 
ping,  and  return  by  the  same  route  to  Concord  before 
nightfall.  On  one  occasion,  during  the  prevalence  of 
the  small-pox  at  Charlestown,  she  was  obliged  to 
submit  to  a  process  of  thorough  fumigation  before 
she  was  permitted  to  resume  her  journey  homeward. 
Her  industry  was  another  prominent  characteristic. 
She  was  occupied  with  the  hand-loom  and  spinning- 
wheel  a  goodly  portion  of  each  working-day,  and  in 
later  years  the  material  for  her  sons’  clothing  was  her 
handiwork. 

In  her  husband’s  absence,  the  management  of  the 
farm  devolved  upon  her ;  and  for  this  she  was  amply 
qualified,  both  by  natural  aptitude  and  by  early  train¬ 
ing  as  a  farmer’s  daughter. 

She  lived  sixty-seven  years  after  her  romantic 
marriage,  and  attained  her  ninetieth  year.  Of  the 
daughters  of  Samuel  and  Susanna  Lawrence,  Mary 


Memoir  of  William  Lawrence  (p.  n),  by  the  Rev.  S.  K.  Lothrop,  D.D. 


OF  THE  LAWRENCE  FAMILY.  1 19 

married  the  Rev.  Samuel  Woodbury ;  Eliza  married 
Dr.  Joshua  Green,  and  resided  in  Groton.  The  five 
sons,  Luther,  William,  Amos,  Abbott,  and  Samuel, 
became  well-known  citizens,  whose  names  are  identi¬ 
fied  with  the  manufacturing  interests  of  New  England. 


Extracts  from  the  will  of  William  Parker  of  Groton, 
the  father  of  Susanna  Parker  Lawrence  :  — 

“To  my  Dear  and  well  be  Loved  wife  Sarah  Parker  I  give 
and  bequeath  one  half  of  my  D'.veling  House  and  the  Largest 
Barn  as  Long  as  she  remains  my  widow.  .  .  .  also  one 
Little  bay  horse  and  one  yoke  of  oxen  and  four  Cows  and 
Twenty  shoots  [shotes].  ...  I  give  and  bequeath  unto  my 
well  beloued  Daufther  Sibbel  Parker  one  Cow  and  all  the 
Housesould  Goods  that  was  her  mothers  Except  two  Iron 
kettles  which  my  beloued  wife  is  to  hauve  the  use  of  as  Long 
as  she  Continue  my  widow  and  after  that  my  Sibbel  is  to 
haue  them  again  for  her  own.” 

H  is  “  wife  Sarah  Parker  and  beloved  fri[e]nd 
Henery  Farwell  ”  are  named  as  executors.  Date  of 
will,  Jan.  25,  1761.  William  Parker  died  Feb.  1,  and 
his  son  William  Parker,  jun.,  died  Jan.  8,  and  daughter 
Sybil  May  10,  1761,  —  all  three  of  the  small-pox. 
(See  “  Groton  Epitaphs,”  pp.  38,  39.) 

Extracts  from  the  Groton  records:  — 

“  Amos  Lawrance  father  of  the  Children  under  written 
Deseased  June  20th  1785 

Amos  Lawrance  the  Son  of  amos  Lawrance  and  Abigal 

his  wife  was  born  at  Groton  Sepr  th  9  1750 

Nehemiah  Lawrance  the  son  of  amos  Lawrance  an 

abigail  his  wife  was  born  at  Groton  January  th  14  1752 


120 


HISTORICAL  SKETCHES 


Sam"  Lawrance  the  son  of  araos  Lawrance  and  Abigail 

his  wife  was  born  at  Groton  april  th  24  1754 

Asa  Lawrance  the  son  of  arnos  Lawrance  and  Abigail 

his  wife  was  born  at  Groton  June  th  1  1756 

Asa  Lawrance  the  son  of  amos  Lawrence  &  Abigail 
his  wife  died  at  Groton  with  the  Throat  Distemper 
on  Novr.  6th.  1759 

Abigail  the  wife  of  the  above  named  Amos  Lawrance  died 
January  6th.  1784  ” 

Copy  of  a  record  in  the  family  Bible  of  Samuel 
Lawrence,  the  original  being  in  his  handwriting :  — 

“My  father,  Amos  Lawrence  was  born  in  Lexington  Feby 
13  th  1716. 

My  mother,  Abigail  Abbott  was  born  at  Lincoln  Jan’y  26th 
1721. 

Her  father’s  name  was  Nehemiah. 

Their  children  were  as  follows  : 

Amos,  born  at  Groton  Sept.  9,  1750. 

Died  in  May,  1798. 

Nehemiah,  Jan’y  14,  1752. 

Died  July  13,  1786. 

Samuel,  April  24,  1754. 

Asa,  June  6th,  1756. 

Died  Nov.  6,  1759. 

Susanna  Parker,  my  beloved  wife,  daughter  of  Mr.  Wm. 
Parker,  of  Groton,  born  October  10,  1755.” 

Copy  of  a  record  in  the  family  Bible  of  Amos 
Lawrence  of  Boston  :  — 

MARRIAGES. 

Amos  Lawrence,  son  of  Samuel  and  Susanna  Lawrence, 
born  at  Groton,  Massachusetts,  April  twenty-second  A.D. 
seventeen  hundred  &  eighty-six  and  Sarah  Richards,  daugh- 


OF  THE  LAWRENCE  FAMILY. 


I  2  I 


ter  of  Giles  and  Sally  Richards  born  at  Boston,  Mass.  July 
twenty-fifth  A.D.  seventeen  hundred  and  ninety,  were  joined 
in  matrimony  in  Boston  by  the  Rev  .  Joseph  S.  Buckminster 
June  Sixth  A.D.  eighteen  hundred  eleven. 

Amos  Lawrence  and  Nancy  Ellis,  daughter  of  Robert  & 
Mary  Means  of  Amherst,  N.H.  were  married  at  Amherst 
April  1 6,  1821  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Lord. 

Susanna  Lawrence,  daughter  of  Amos  &  Sarah  Lawrence, 
and  the  Revd.  Charles  Mason,  son  of  Jeremiah  &  Mary 
Mason,  were  married  in  St  Pauls  church  in  Boston,  June  nth 
1838,  by  the  Revd  Doctr  Stone. 

William  Richards  Lawrence  son  of  Amos  &  Sarah  Law¬ 
rence  and  Susan  Coomb[s]  Dana,  daughter  of  the  Revd 
Sam1  Dana  of  Marblehead  were  married  in  S4  Pauls  church 
in  Boston  December  6th  1838,  by  the  Revd  Doctor  Stone. 

Amos  Adams  Lawrence  son  of  Amos  and  Sarah  Lawrence^ 
and  Sarah  Elizabeth  Appleton,  daughter  of  William  &  Mary 
Anne  Appleton  of  Boston,  were  married  at  Boston  March  31, 
1842,  by  Rev.  Francis  Vinton  at  Mr.  Appletons  house  in 
Beacon  Street. 

BIRTHS. 

William  Richards  Lawrence  born  at  Boston  May  3d  1812. 

Baptized  by  Rev.  Wm  E.  Channing  in  Brattle  Street 
church. 

Amos  Adams  Lawrence  born  at  Boston  July  31,  1814. 

Baptized  by  Revd  John  T.  Kirkland  in  Brattle  Street 
church. 

Susanna  Lawrence,  born  at  Boston  May  23d  1817.  Bap¬ 
tized  at  Dedham  by  Rev.  Joshua  Bates. 

Mary  Means  Lawrence,  daughter  of  Amos  &  Nancy  Law¬ 
rence,  born  at  Boston  April  15,  1823.  Baptized  in  Brattle 
Street  Church  by  Revd  J.  G.  Palfrey. 

Robert  Means  Lawrence  son  of  Amos  and  Nancy  Law¬ 
rence,  born  at  Boston  September  17,  1826.  Baptized  in 
Brattle  Street  Church  the  first  Sunday  in  January  1827  by 
Revd  J.  G.  Palfrey. 


122 


HISTORICAL  SKETCHES 


Susan  Lawrence  Mason,  daughter  of  Revd  Charles  & 
Susannah  Mason  born  at  Salem  August  25,  1839. 

Francis  William  Lawrence,  son  of  William  Richards  & 
Susan  Coomb[s]  Lawrence  born  at  Brookline  November  20, 
1839. 


Amos  Lawrence  Mason,  son  of  Charles  &  Susannah  Mason 
born  at  Salem  April  20,  1842. 

Arthur  Lawrence,  son  of  William  R.  &  Susan  C.  Law¬ 
rence,  born  at  Brookline  August  22,  1842. 

Mary  Anne  Appleton,  daughter  of  Amos  &  Sarah  E. 
Lawrence  Born  in  Boston  May  12,  1843. 

Twin  daughters  of  Rev.  Charles  &  Susannah 
Mason  born  at  Salem  novr  twenty-second 
1844. 

Sarah,  daughter  of  Amos  A.  &  Sarah  E.  Lawrence  born  in 
Brookline  on  Saturday  July  5,  1845  at  6  a.m. 

Robert  Means,  Son  of  Wm  R.  &  Susan  C  Lawrence  born 
in  Boston  on  Friday  May  14,  1847  at  about  1  p.m. 

[Amory  Appleton],  Son  of  Amos  A.  &  Sarah  E.  Lawrence 
born  in  Boston  on  Saturday  April  22,  1848  at  iof  o’clock 
A.M.  being  on  the  sixty-second  birthday  of  “Grandpa  Law¬ 
rence.” 


Sarah  & 
Mary 


DEATHS. 

Susan  Lawrence,  daughter  of  Samuel  &  Susannah 
Lawrence  of  Groton  died  at  Boston  August  17,  1815  aged 
27  years. 

Sarah  Lawrence,  Wife  of  Amos  Lawrence,  died  in  Boston 
January  14,  1819  aged  28  years. 

Samuel  Lawrence  died  at  Groton  November  8,  1827  aged 
73  years. 

Mary  Means  Lawrence,  daughter  of  Amos  &  Nancy 
Lawrence  died  at  Boston  December  8th  1828  aged  5  years  7 
months  and  23  days. 

Giles  Richards  died  at  Dedham  June  3,  1829  aged  75 
years. 


OF  THE  LAWRENCE  FAMILY. 


123 

Mrs  Susannah  Lawrence  wife  of  the  late  Samuel  Lawrence 
Esq  Died  at  Groton  on  friday  evening  May  2d  1845,  aged 
eighty  nine  years  and  a  half. 

Mrs  Sarah  Richards  wife  of  the  late  Giles  Richards  died 
at  Roxbury  in  the  same  house  in  which  she  was  born,  April 
12,  1836,  aged  67  years  (sixty  seven)  (The  house  of  the  late 
Dr  Porter,  now  of  his  nieces  Mrs  Dilliway  &  Miss  Porter). 
(June  1844) 

Luther  Lawrence,  Mayor  of  the  city  of  Lowell  was  killed 
on  the  17th  of  April  1839  by  a  fall  into  a  wheel-pit  of  one  of 
the  Middlesex  companies  mills,  aged  60  years. 

Mrs  Susanna  Mason,  daughter  of  Amos  Lawrence,  died 
in  Salem  December  2nd  1844,  the  tenth  day  after  giving  birth 
to  twins,  aged  twenty  seven  years  &  a  half. 

Amos  Lawrence  of  Boston  died  at  his  own  house  Dec. 
31st  1852. 

Mrs  Nancy  Lawrence,  wife  of  Amos  Lawrence,  died  in 
Boston  Nov.  27th  1866. 

William  Richards  Lawrence  died  at  Swampscott  Septem¬ 
ber  20th  1885. 

Amos  Adams  Lawrence  died  at  Nahant  August  22d  1886. 


Extracts  from  the  oldest  volume  of  the  records  of 
Plainfield,  Conn.:  — 

Sarah  Lawrance  the  daughter  of  Daniell  Lawrance  and 
Sarah  his  wife  was  born  October  7th  1709. 

Sarah  Lawrance  the  wife  of  Daniell  Lawrance  deceased 
January  26th  1711/12. 

Daniel  Lawrance  and  Hannah  jewell  marryed  nouember 
the  5th  1712. 

Dainel  Lawrance  a  Daughter  born  july  the  22  1713.  Her 
name  is  marye. 

Nathaniel  Lawrance  son  of  Daniel  Lawrance  &  Hana  his 
wife  Borne  octobr  the  28th,  1714. 

Gidean  Lawrance  Son  of  Dainel  Lawrance  and  Hanah  his 
wife  Borne  March  the  15th  1716/7. 


124 


HISTORICAL  SKETCHES 


Hana  Lawrance  Daughter  of  Daniel  Lawrance  and  Hana 
his  wife  Borne  Septembr  the  22.  1718. 

Ruth  Lawrance  Daughter  of  Daniel  Lawrance  and  Hanah 
his  wife  Borne  July  the  11*  1720. 

daniel  Lawrance  and  sarah  Williams  Was  maried  ye  4th 
day  of  march  1724/5. 

Elizabeth  Lawrance  Dafter  of  Dainel  Lawrance  and  Sarah 
his  wife  was  born  The  6th  Day  of  January  1725/6. 

anne  lawrrance  Dafter  of  Dainel  lawrance  and  Sarah  his 
wife  Born  august  22,  1727. 

Anne  lawrrance  Daughter  of  Daniel  lawrance  and  Sarah 
his  wife  Dec[ea]sed  Decembr  9th  1728 

hester  lawrrance  Dafter  of  Daniel  lawrrance  and  Sarah  his 
wife  born  febry  ye  10  day  1728/9 

Elis  Lawrrance  Dafter  of  Daniel  lawrance  and  Sarah  his 
wife  born  ye  19th  day  of  april  1731. 

Eunis  lawrance  Dafter  of  Daniel  lawrance  and  Sarah  his 
wife  born  ye  20th  day  of  March  1733  and  Departed  this  life 
ye  29. 

Hannah  lawrance  Dafter  of  Daniel  lawrance  and  hannah 
his  wife  Departed  this  life  ye  1 8th  day  of  May  1733. 

Nathaniel  lawrance  Son  of  Daniel  lawrance  and  Hannah 
his  wife  Departed  this  life  the  second  day  of  June  1733. 

John  Lawrance  son  of  Dainel  lawrance  and  Sarah  his  wife 
born  ye  2th  day  of  January  1735/6. 

Asa  lawrance  son  of  Dainel  lawrance  and  Sarah  his  Wife 
Born  June  the  Ith  day  1738. 

Thomas  Lawrance  son  of  Joseph  Lawrance  and  marye  his 
wife  Born  February  the  Ist  1714/15. 

mary  lawrrance  Daughtr  to  Joseph  Lawrrance  and  mary 
his  wife  born  January  ye  27th  1727/8. 

Daniel  Lawrrance  Junr  and  Rachel  Kingsbury  was  married 
may  31  day  1725. 

Rachel  lawrrance  Daughter  to  Daniel  lawrrance  Junr  and 
Rachel  his  Wife  woz  Born  apriel  the  6t’n  1726. 

Gidon  Lawrrance  son  to  Daniel  Lawrrance  Junr  and 
Rachiel  his  Wife  Wos  Born  nouembier  the  21th  1727. 


OF  THE  LAWRENCE  FAMILY. 


125 


Sibel  lawrance  Dafter  of  Daniel  lawrance  Junr  and  Rachel 
his  wife  born  ye  6  day  of  September  1729. 

Sarah  lawrance  Dafter  of  Daniel  lawrance  Junr  &  Rachel 
his  wife  born  ye  15th  of  april  1731. 

Rachiel  lawrance  Dafter  of  Daniel  lawrance  Junr  and 
Rachiel  his  wife  Departed  this  life  Septemr  8  day  1729. 

nathaniel  lawrance  son  of  Daniel  lawrapce  Junr  and 
Rachel  his  wife  Born  ye  21  day  of  June  1733. 

Ruefas  lawrance  Son  of  daniel  larance  Junr  and  Rachel 
his  wife  born  ye  3d  of  august  1735. 

Joseph  Williams  was  maried  to  Susannah  the  daughter  of 
Peleg  Lawrans  of  Grotten  the  13th  of  October  1710. 

Jeremiah  Lawrance  and  olive  Wheeler  marriad  ye  2th  day 
of  febrery  1729. 

Nehemiah  Lawrance  Son  of  Jeremiah  lawrance  and  oliue 
his  wife  Born  march  ye  18  day  1730. 

Joseph  parkhurst  and  Sarah  Lawrance  marriad  January 
ye  20th  day  1730/31. 

Isaac  Lawrrance  and  lydiah  Huet  married  ye  19  day  of 
Decembr  1727. 

Jonas  lawrance  son  of  Isaac  Lawrance  &  Lydiah  his  wife 
born  ye  Ith  Day  of  Decembr  1728. 

Esubah  Lawrance  Dafter  of  Isaac  lawrance  and  Lydiah 
his  wife  born  ye  8th  day  of  decembr  1739.  [1729] 

Steuen  lawrance  son  of  Isaac  larance  and  lydiah  his  wife 
born  ye  26  of  October  1732  and  Departed  this  life  ye  1  day 
of  January  1733/4. 

amey  Lawrance  Dafter  of  Isaac  Lawrance  and  Lydiah  his 
wife  Born  Decembr  ye  8th  day  1734. 

Isaac  Lawrance  Son  of  Isaac  lawrance  and  lydiah  his  wife 
born  ye  5th  of  march  1737. 

Josiah  Lawrance  son  of  Josiah  lawrance  &  Sarah  his  wife 
Born  ye  22  day  of  march  1733. 

gidon  lawrrance  &  Unis  parkhurst  wos  mariad  the  first 
day  of  august  1738. 

hannah  lawrance  dafter  of  gidon  lawrrance  and  unis  his 


126 


HISTORICAL  SKETCHES 


wife  born  ye  18  day  of  Septemb1'  1739  and  departed  this  life 
ye  13  day  of  decembr  1739. 

Unis  lawrrance  dafter  of  gidon  lawrrance  and  unis  his 
wife  born  ye  12  day  of  febury  1741. 

nathaniel  Lawrance  son  to  Gideon  Lawrance  and  Eunis 
bis  Wife  Born  Septem  ye  23rd-  1743 

Gideon  Lawrance  son  to  Gideon  Lawrance  and  Eunis  his 
Wife  Born  March  ye  16th  1746. 

mary  Lawrance  dafter  of  Gideon  Lawrance  and  Eunis  his 
Wife  Born  April  ye  5th  1748. 

Deborah  Lawrance  dafter  of  Gideon  Lawrance  and  Eunis 
his  Wife  Born  february  ye  11th  1749/50. 


From  the  oldest  volume  of  the  town  records  of 
Plainfield  :  — 

“At  a  Town  meeting  legualy  worned  in  plainfield  Decem¬ 
ber  ye  3th  day,  1730,  for  chusing  Town  oficers,  Isaac  Law¬ 
rance,  Jeremiah  lawrance  [and]  Daniel  lawrance  Junr  [were] 
Recived  Inhabitance  and  [allowed]  liberty  of  voting  in  Town 
afairs.” 


The  above  named  were  sons  of  Daniel,  and  grand¬ 
sons  of  Enosh  Lawrence. 

From  Massachusetts  Revolutionary  Muster-Rolls 
(vol.  xxiv.  p.  56)  :  — 

“An  abstract  for  Pay  Due  to  Capt.  Isaac  Woods  company 
in  Coll0.  Jona.  Reeds  Reg‘  of  Guards  at  40/  pr  month  as  a 
bounty  for  ye  Gaurds  at  Cambridge  Engaged  for  3  month 
Lrom  the  1st  of  April  1778  taken  to  the  3d,  4th  &  5  of  July, 

1778.” 


OF  THE  LAWRENCE  FAMILY. 


12] 


Among  the  rank  and  file  of  this  company  appear 
the  names  of  Levi  Lawrance,  Willm  Laurance,  Thomas 
Laurance,  Isaac  Laurance,  Nath1  Laurance,  and 
Ezekiel  Laurance.  Of  these  Levi  was  probably  a 
son  of  Jonathan  of  Groton,  and  grandson  of  Thomas 
of  Cambridge  Farms  and  Groton  ;  and  William  was 
probably  a  son  of  Samuel,  and  grandson  of  Major 
Eleazer  Lawrence. 

It  is  likely  that  Thomas  and  Isaac  were  sons  of 
Nathaniel,  jun.,  of  Groton,  and  great-grandsons  of 
Enosh.  Thomas  had  a  son  Ezekiel,  at  this  time  about 
sixteen  years  old. 

Col.  Jonathan  Reed  of  Littleton  was  a  son  of 
Major  Benjamin  Reed  of  Lexington,  and  was  born 
March  8,  1729.  He  married,  in  1752,  Sarah,  a 
daughter  of  Jonathan  Lawrence,  elder  brother  of  Capt. 
Amos  Lawrence  of  Lexington  and  Groton.  Their 
oldest  child  Sarah  married,  in  1 769,  Timothy,  a  son  of 
Deacon  Jonathan  Lawrence  of  Littleton.  A  great- 
grandson  of  Timothy,  Lyman  Lawrence,  is  now  a 
resident  of  Lexington.  Col.  Jonathan  Reed  served  as 
selectman,  assessor,  and  town  clerk  of  Littleton.  The 
following  is  from  the  records  of  that  town  :  — 

“  August  ye  27,  1787,  gave  Jonathan  Reed  Esq  an  order 
for  hording  mr  David  Lawrence  schoolmaster  Nine  weeks 
and  one  third  of  a  week  two  pounds,  eighteen  shillings  & 
sixpence  in  full  for  Bording  said  Lawrence  as  pr  his  act.” 

Col.  Reed  died  Nov.  8,  1790;  and  his  wife,  Sarah 
Lawrence  Reed,  died  June  14,  1803. 


128 


ms  TOXICAL  SKETCHES 


From  the  Littleton,  Mass.,  records:  — 

MARRIAGES. 

September  3rd-  1754.  Jonas  Lawrence  of  Canaan  and 
Triphenia  Lawrence  of  Littleton. 

October  ioth-  1754.  Jonathan  Lawrence  of  Littleton  and 
Lydia  Fletcher  of  Groton. 

August  29th-  1754.  William  Stearns  and  Betty  Lawrence 
both  of  Littleton. 

July  27th-  1758.  Asa  Lawrence  of  Pepperell  and  Abigail 
King  of  Littleton. 

March  ye  14*  1761.  Then  the  intentions  of  marriage 
were  Published  between  mr  Isaac  Spaulding  of  Westford  and 
mis  Susanna  Lawrance  of  Littleton. 

Littleton,  September  ye  15th-  1761.  Then  mr  Parker 
Dale  and  mis  Abigail  Lawrence  both  of  Littleton  were 
joyned  in  marriage  by  ye  Reverend  mr  Daniel  Rogers  of 
Littleton  by  a  Certifycate  under  his  hand. 

(The  banns  had  been  published  May  23,  1761.) 

Littleton.  July  29*  1769.  The  Intentions  of  Mariage 
between  Simon  Lawrence  of  Littleton  &  Sibil  Robbins  of 
Westford  &  Timothy  Lawrence  of  Littleton  &  Sarah  Read 
of  sd  Littleton  were  published  on  the  aboue  Day. 

Littleton.  Nouember  ye  30th  :  1769.  Then  mr  Timothy 
Lawrance  and  mis  Sarah  Reed,  both  of  Littleton  were 
joyned  in  marriage  by  ye  Reverend  mr  Daniel  Rogers  as  by 
a  certificate  under  his  hand. 

May  ye  18L  1771.  Then  the  intentions  of  marriage  were 
Published  between  mr  John  Lawrance  of  Littleton  and  mis 
Hannah  Davis  of  Acton. 

Littleton  June  24 IT  1780.  Then  the  Intentions  of  marriage 
v/as  Entred  between  mr.  William  Lawrence  of  Littleton  and 
mis  Rhoda  Wheeler  of  Ashby.  June  24*  1780. 


OF  THE  LAWRENCE  FAMILY. 


129 


Then  the  Intentions  of  marriage  was  enterd  between  m 
W™.  Solomon  Lawrence  of  Canaan  and  mis  Esther  Dutton 
of  Littleton.  [Married  Oct.  12,  1780.] 

Littleton.  Decemr  13.  1794.  Then  the  Intention  of 

Marriage  was  Entered  and  made  public  between  Titus 
Tuttle  of  Littleton  &  Phillis  Lawrence  of  Littleton. 

Titus  Tuttle  &  Phillis  Lawrence  both  of  Littleton  were 
joined  in  Marriage  by  Sampson  Tuttle  Esq.  Janr  6.  1797. 

From  the  Middlesex  County  records  (Groton 
Historical  series,  No.  XIII.):  — 

“Jonathan  Lawrence  of  Littleton  &  Lydia  Fletcher  of 
Groton  were  joyned  in  marriage  by  the  Revd.  Mr.  Dan1. 
Rogers  of  Littleton  by  his  Certificate  under  his  hand  Oct0. 
10:  1754.” 

From  the  records  of  the  Proprietors  of  Littleton  :  — 

Middx  ss.  July  23rd-  1755. 

Cap1  David  Lawrance  Took  the  Oath  relating  to  the 
Bills  of  Credit  of  the  Neighbouring  Govrmts  and  the  oath  of 
the  faithful  Discharge  of  the  Office  of  Collector  for  the 
proprietors  of  Littleton  to  which  he  was  chose  ye  Second 
(2)  day  of  June  last 

Before  me 

Nath11  Russell 
Just.  Pac. 

A  true  entry 

Abel  Prescott 
Propr  Clerk. 

From  the  Littleton  town  records  :  — 

April  ye  27L1  1773. 

We,  Amos  Lawrance  &  Isaac  Farnsworth  Selectmen  for 
Groton  &  Jonathan  Lawrance,  Eleazer  Lawrance  &  Josiah 


130 


HISTORICAL  SKETCHES 


Hartwell,  appointed  by  the  select  men  of  Littleton  to  Pream¬ 
bulate  ye  Line  between  said  towns  have  this  day  attended  to 
sd  businefs  &  Joyntly  agreed  to  renew  ye  bounds 

Amos  Lawrance  j 
Isaac  Farnsworth  J 
Jonathan  Lawrance  h 
Eleazer  Lawrance  V 
Josiah  Hartwell  J 

Memoranda  relating  to  the  Lawrences  of  Littleton, 
Mass,  (from  documents  belonging  to  the  estate  of 
the  late  Samuel  Smith,  Esq.,  of  that  town)  :  — 

March  7th,  1736.  Major  Eleazer  Lawrence  and  others 

were  chosen  a  committee  to  build  a  stone  wall  around  the 

Littleton  burying-ground. 

Lawrences  admitted  to  full  communion  in  the  Church  at 
Littleton  previous  to  1755  :  — 

Peleg  and  his  wife  Ruth ;  Jonathan,  Experience,  and 
Lucy,  daughter  of  Eleazer. 

Members  of  the  family  who  paid  taxes  in  Littleton  in  the 
year  1751  :  — 

£.  s.  d.  £  s.  d. 

Major  Eleazer,  20,  11,  7;  Captain  David,  21,  1,  3; 

£.  s.  d.  £.  s  d, 

Jonathan  12,  1,  8  ;  Eleazer  Junior,  5  1  ;  6,  £. 

Jonathan  Lawrence,  jun.,  enlisted  as  a  soldier  during  King 
George’s  war  (1748). 

In  1775  Isaac  Lawrence  enlisted  in  the  American  army. 
July  10,  1776.  Captain  David  Lawrence  and  Ensign 
Fletcher  hired  Timothy  Baker  as  a  substitute,  and  paid  him 

£.  s. 

13,  1 6. 

Deacon  Jonathan,  Timothy  and  Simon  Lawrence  hired  as 
a  substitute  a  man  named  Lincoln.  The  latter  failed  to 
appear,  and  the  quota  was  therefore  one  short. 

Dec.  2,  1776.  “For  reinforcing  the  Continental  army, 

Deacon  Jonathan  and  Timothy  hired  Jonathan  Lawrence 
£. 

and  gave  him  9.” 


OF  THE  LAWRENCE  FAMILY. 


J31 

September,  1777.  Thirty-days  men:  Timothy  and  Simon 
Lawrence. 

Money  and  clothing  contributed  for  the  Continental 
army :  — 

April,  1778.  Timothy  Lawrence  gave  one  pair  of  shoes; 
Captain  David  one  pair  of  socks  and  a  shirt ;  Deacon 
Jonathan  gave  one  shirt  and  Samuel  two  pairs  of  socks. 

July,  1778.  For  “volunteer  service”  Captain  David  paid 

£ 

14.  For  the  nine  months  men  in  Rhode  Island  in  1779, 
£.  £.  £ 
Eleazer  paid  10;  Deacon  Jonathan  12;  Captain  David  24; 
£  £  £. 

Samuel  45  ;  Timothy  10;  and  Joseph  6. 


From  the  Records  of  the  First  Congregational 
(Unitarian)  Church,  Littleton,  Mass.  :  — 

Persons  admitted  to  full  Communion. 

Peleg  Lawrence.  Ruth  ye  Wife  of  Peleg  Lawrence.  The 
Wife  of  Eleazer  Lawrence  Jr.  Jonathan  Lawrence.  Eleazer 
Lawrence.  Experience  Lawrence. 

Sept.  1.  1754.  Lucy  Lawrence  ye  Daughter  of  Eleazer 
Lawrence. 

Deck  27.  1761.  Captain  David  Lawrence. 

Novr.  26.  1780.  The  Widow  Martha  Lawrence 

June  8th.  1788.  David  Lawrence  Jur- 

1793.  April  nth.  Received  to  our  watch  and  fellowship 
Patty  wife  of  David  Lawrence  recommended  to  us  by  letter 
from  the  Church  in  Lincoln.  ' 

1813.  Septr.  2.  At  a  regular  Meeting  of  the  Church  for 
the  purpose  of  choosing  Deacons,  the  Church  Voted 

Ist  To  chuse  two  persons  to  serve  as  Deacons  in  this 
Ch’h. 

2nd  They  proceeded  and  made  choice  of  Brother  David 
Lawrence  and  Brother  John  Hartwell  as  Deacons,  who 
accepted  their  election  into  sd  office. 


12,2 


HISTORICAL  SKETCHES 


Persons  that  owned  the  Covenant. 

Jan’y  8  1737/8  Sam11  Lawrence  &  his  wife. 

March  31,  1754  Abel  Lawrence  &  his  wife  owncl  ye  Covb 

July  177°  Simon  Lawrence  and  his  wife  ownd  ye  Cov4' 

September  1771  Timothy  Lawrence  &  his  wife  owned  ye 
Covh 

June  19  1772  Jn°  Lawrence  and  Hannah  his  wife  ownd  ye 
Cov*  &  had  yr  Child  baptized. 

July  23  1775  Joseph  Lawrence  &  his  wife  owned  ye  Covb 

March  8  1746  The  wife  of  Peleg  Lawrence  was  dismissed 
to  ye  Chh  in  Groton 

Nov  2  1746  Peleg  Lawrence  was  dismissed  in  order  to  his 
being  laid  in  ye  foundation  of  a  2  Chh  in  Groton. 

MARRIAGES. 

May  5  1737  Sam11  Laurence  of  Littleton  was  married  to 
Mary  Hildrech  of  Westford. 

April  3  1740  Jabez  Keep  of  Westford  and  Experience 
Lawrence  of  Littleton  were  joined  in  marriage. 

July  1751  Jonathan  Lawrence  &  Martha  Leighton  were 
joined  in  marriage. 

February  20,  1745  Thomas  Cuminge  of  Westford  & 
Lucy  Lawrence  of  Littleton  were  joined  in  marriage. 

Sept.  15  1761  Parker  Dole  &  Abigail  Lawrence  were 
joyned  in  marriage 

Oct.  15  1761  Isaac  Spaulding  of  Westford  &  Susanna 
Lawrence  of  Littleton  were  joynd  in  marriage 

Jany.  21  1762  Jonathan  Fletcher  Junr  of  Westford  &  Mary 
Lawrence  of  Littleton  were  joyned  in  marriage. 

Sept.  28  1768  Sam11  Clark  of  Westminster  &  Lucy  Law¬ 
rence  of  Littleton  were  joynd  in  marriage. 

Jany,  29  1769  Daniel  Stone  of  Groton  &  Martha  Lawrence 
of  Littleton  were  joynd  in  marriage. 

Tim  Lawrence  &  Sarah  Reed  both  of  Littleton  were  joynd 
in  marriage  on  ye  30  of  November  1769. 

John  Lawrence  of  Littleton  &  Hannah  Davis  of  Acton  on 
June  27  1771  were  joyned  in  marriage. 


OF  THE  LAWRENCE  FAMILY. 


133 


Decr  6  1774  Joseph  Lawrence  of  Littleton  &  Mercy 
Wetherbee  of  Stow  were  joined  in  marriage. 

October  12  1780  William  Solomon  Lawrence  of  Canaan  & 
Esther  Dutton  of  Littleton  were  joined  in  marriage. 

Decr.  20  1790  Mr.  Stephen  Tucker*  to  Miss  Svbbel  Law¬ 
rence  [of]  Littleton 

Feby  24  1795  Reuben  Lawrence  of  Ashby  to  Miss  Lois 
Tenney  of  Littleton 

Feb.  23  1797  Mr.  Elnathan  Lawrence  of  Asby  to  Miss 
Mary  Tenney  of  Littleton. 

May  9ht  1798  Mr.  Willard  Flint  to  Miss  Polly  Lawrence 
both  of  Littleton. 

Feb.  26  1801  Mr.  Solomon  Fletcher  to  Miss  Dorcas  Law¬ 
rence  both  of  Littleton. 


BAPTISMS. 


May  12,  1793. 
Aug1  9th.  1795. 
wife. 

May  20,  1797. 
rence  &  wife. 
April  15,  1804. 


George,  Son  of  David  Lawrence  and  wife. 
Lovey,  Daughter  of  David  Lawrence  & 

Hannah  Adams,  Daughter  of  David  Law- 

Henry,  Son  of  David  Lawrence  and  wife. 


Septr  11,  1803.  Recd  to  Gospel  privileges,  Nancy  Law¬ 
rence. 


From  the  Lexington,  Mass.,  records:  — 

John  Laurance  son  of  John  Laurance,  &  Anna  his  wife 
born  june  10  :  1688. 

John  Laurance  junr  &  Elizabeth  Stone  were  joyned  in 
marriage  in  may  18  :  1710. 

Elisabeth  Laurance  Daughter  to  John  Laurance  junr  & 
elisabeth  his  wife  born  may  27  :  171 1. 

Elizabeth  Laurenc  Daughte[r]  to  John  Lawrenc  and 
Elizabeth  his  wiffe  Born  may  y®  27*  1711.  [Duplicate 
entry.] 


134 


HISTORICAL  SKETCHES 


John  Laurance  son  of  John  Laurance  junr  &  Elisabeth 
his  wife  born  September  :  24 :  1713 

John  Laurenc  son  to  John  Laurenc ;  and  Elizabeth  his 
wiffe  was  born:  Septembr :  ye:  24th:  1713.  [Duplicate 
entry.] 

Sam11  Laurance  son  of  John  Laurance  junr  &  Elizabeth 
his  wife  born  October  3  :  1715. 

Isaac  Laurance  son  of  John  Laurance  junr  &  Elizabeth 
his  wif  &  born  november  27  :  1717. 

Ruth  Laurance,  Daughter  to  Sam11  &  Elizabeth  Laurance 
born  jany  21  :  1725/6. 

Thomas  Hadle  and  Ruth  Laurance  both  of  Lexington 
where  Joined  in  marriage  April  15  :  1741. 

Jonathan  Lawrance  &  Elizabeth  Swain  ware  Joyned  in 
marriage  Febr :  26:  1726/7. 

Elizabeth  Lawrance  Daughter  to  Jonathan  &  Elizabeth 
Lawrance  Born  Febr  19*  1727/8. 

Elizabeth  Lawrence  Ditto  Decesd  January  16th:  1732/3. 

Mary  Lawrance  Ditto  Born  November  30:  1729. 

Sarah  Lawrance  Ditto  Born  December  15th  1731. 

Jonathan  Lawrance  Ditto  Born  february  5  :  1733/4. 

Bezaleel  Lawrance  Ditto  Born  April  13th:  1736. 

Micah  Lawrance  Ditto  Born  March  15th:  1738/9. 

Elizabeth  Lawrance  Ditto  Born  December  17th.  1741. 

Anna  Lawrance  Ditto  Born  March  19th  1745/6. 

John  Lawrance  Ditto  Born  June  5th:  1748. 

Benjamin  Lawrance  son  to  Jonathan  &  Elizabeth  Law¬ 
rance  born  Sept.  13  :  1750. 

Bezaleel  Lawrance  &  Sarah  Muzzey  both  of  Lexington 
were  Joined  in  Marriage  October  ye  19:  1758. 

Sarah  Lawrence  Daughter  to  Bezaleel  Lawrence  and  Sarah 
his  wife  Born  September  ye  3d  1759. 

Anna  Lawrence  Daughter  to  Bezalel  Lawrence  &  Sarah 
his  wife  Born  May  ye  17  :  1761. 

Bezaleel  Lawrence  Son  to  Bezaleel  Lawrence  &  Sarah  his 
wife  Born  April  ye  12  1763. 


OF  THE  LAWRENCE  FAMILY. 


135 


Esther  Lawrence  Daughter  to  Bezaleel  Lawrence  &  Sarah 
his  wife  Born  June  ye  30th  1765. 

Bethiah  Lawrence  Daughter  to  Bezaleel  Lawrence  and 
Sarah  his  wife  Born  September  ye  25th  1767. 

Jonas  Lawrence  Son  to  Bezaleel  Lawrence  &  Sarah  his 
wife  Born  Feb  :  ye  27th  1770. 

Jonathan  Lawrence  son  to  Bezaleel  Lawrence  &  Sarah 
His  Wife  Born  Septemr  11th  1774. 

Thaddeus  Bowman  of  Cambridge  and  Elizabeth  Lawrence 
of  Lexington  where  Joined  in  Marriage  November  ye  7th  1764. 

John  Hastings  &  Esther  Lawrence  both  of  Lexington 
Married  Octor.  7.  1784. 

Jonathan  Lawrance  of  Lexington  &  Polly  Reed  of  Bedford 
were  joined  in  Marriage  April  12th  1798. 

Polly  Lawrance  Daughter  to  Jonathan  Lawrance  &  Polly 
his  wife  Born  April  28*  1799. 

Esther  Lawrance  Ditto  Born  April  23th  1801. 

Abigail  Lawrence  born  Novr.  8th  1803. 

Elizabeth  Swain  Lawrence  Do  born  Sepr  10th  1807. 

Abigail  Lawrence  died  Decr.  23.  1826. 

Mr  Bezaleel  Lawrence  Died  February  1796. 

Mrs  Sarah  Lawrence  Wife  of  the  said  B.  Died  Febr  4th  1819. 

Mr  Royal  Stearns  &  Mifs  Esther  Lawrence  [were  married] 
May  2.  1824. 


From  the  records  of  the  First  Parish,  Lexington, 
Mass.;  the  Rev.  John  Hancock,  pastor  (1698-1 752) :  — 


July:  1700:  Baptised  Samuell  Lawrence 
I  novembr.  1702.  Baptised  Anna  Lawrence. 

24:  Febr  1705/6.  Baptised  Jonathan  Lawrence. 

Submitt  Poulter. 


20  June  1708  Baptised. 


Sarah  Lawrence. 


31  May  1713  i^ftted  j  BenJamin  Lawrence. 

19  febr  1715/16  baptised  Amos  Lawrence. 
[Children  of  John  and  Anna  (Tarbell)  Lawrence.] 


HISTORICAL  SKETCHES 


136 

3  :  June  1711  :  Baptised  Elizabeth  Lawrence. 

27  Septembr  1713.  Baptised  John  Lawrence. 

g  Octobr  1715  Samuel  Lawrence  was  baptised  at  Lexing¬ 
ton  by  Mr  Lox. 

1  Decembr  1717:  Baptised  Isaac  Lawrence. 

14:  Aug.  1720.  Emitted  }  Anna  Lawrence. 

24:  March  1723.  admitted  j  maiT  Lawrence- 

20  March  1726  Baptised  Nath"  Lawrence. 

21  Apr’11  1728  Baptised  Rebekah  Lawrence. 

[Children  of  John  Lawrence,  jun.,  and  Elizabeth  (Stone), 
Lawrence.] 

1  April  1739.  Baptized  micah  Lawrance  of  Jonathan 
Lawrance. 

[The  above  entry  is  from  records  kept  by  the 
Rev.  Ebenezer  Hancock,  associate  pastor  from  1734  to 
1740.] 

20  Decern:  1741.  Baptised  Elizabeth  Lawrence  of  Jona¬ 
than  Lawrence. 

23  March  1746.  Baptised  Anna  Lawrence. 

19  June.  1748.  Baptised  John  Lawrence. 

16:  Sep4  1750.  Baptised  Benj.  Lawrence. 

[Children  of  Jonathan  and  Elizabeth  (Swain)  Lawrence.] 

At  the  Request  of  the  Church  of  Christ  in  Groaton 
(. Nemine  Contradicente)  I  went  up  on  25.  Novembr:  1705  And 
Administred  the  holy  ordinance  of  the  Lords  Supper  to 
them  &  Baptised  these  persons  following 

Isaac  Lawrence  [son  of  Daniel  and  grandson  of  Enosh] 
[and  23  others]. 

20:  Feb.  1725/6  Baptized  Ruth  Lawrence  [daughter  of 
Samuel  and  granddaughter  of  John  of  Lexington]. 

29:  June  1735  :  Admitted  Benjn  Lawrence. 

30  November  1735.  Baptized  Benjamin  Lawrance,  ye  first 
Born  of  Benja  Lawrance. 

[The  last  entry  is  from  records  of  the  associate 
minister.] 


OF  THE  LAWRENCE  FAMILY. 


137 


Sep  9  1759.  Baptized  Sarah  Lawrence  of  Bezaleel  & 
Sarah. 

April  17.  1763.  Baptized  Bezaleel  Lawrence,  of  Bezaleel. 

July  7,  1765,  Baptized  Esther  Lawrence  of  Bezaleel. 

Octr.  4.  1767.  Baptized  Bethiah  Lawrence  of  Bezaleel. 

[The  last  four  persons  were  baptized  by  the  Rev.  Jonas 
Clarke,  pastor  from  1755  to  1805]. 

April  26,  1761,  Baptized  by  the  Rev.  Mr  Cushing  Dinah, 
Negro  —  Mr  Lawrence’s. 

May  24,  1761.  Baptized  by  the  Rev.  Mr  Lawrence  [of 
Lincoln]  Anna  Lawrence  of  Bezaleel. 

1  Febry  i6g9/9  Receaved  than  Into  the  Communion  of  this 
church  John  Lawrence  &  his  wife. 

15  Aprill  1 7 1 1 .  Admitted  Elizabeth  Lawrence  to  full 
communion  [wife  of  John  Lawrence,  jun.]. 

22  Jany.  1726.  Admitted  Jonathan  Lawrence. 

13  Aprill  1729.  Dismissed  Jonathan  Lawrence  to  ye  East 
Church  in  Sudbury. 

t  ,  ,  j  l  Jonathan 

9  January  1742/3  admitted  ■  J  . 

(  Elizabeth 

Lawrence  by  a  letter  of  Dismission  from  ye  East  church  In 
Sudbury. 

14  Octobr  1750.  Dismist  Prudence  Monro  to  mr  Law¬ 
rence’s  Church. 

April  4,  1756.  Admitted  Jonathan  Lawrence  junior  into 
full  Communion. 

Nov.  14.  1756.  Admitted  Violet,  Negro  ser1  to  Mr  Jona 
Lawrence,  Her  confession  &  relation  being  accepted  by  the 
Church.  The  same  Day  Baptiz’d  Violet  the  above  named 
Negro  servant. 

26:  Novr.  1747.  Chose  Jonathan  Lawrence  messenger  for 
mr  Trask’s  ordination  at  Keenborow. 

24:  Decembr  1749.  admitted  mary  Lawrence. 

Mar.  26,  1758.  admitted  Bezaleel  Lawrence  into  full 
Communion. 


133 


HISTORICAL  SKETCHES 


June  28,  1761.  admitted  Elizabeth  Lawrence  Junr. 

Nov.  4.  1764.  Chose  Deacn  James  Browne  and  Jonathan 
Lawrence  for  the  ordination  of  Mr  Micah  Lawrence  at 
Winchester. 

Jan.  25.  1767.  Admitted  John  Lawrence  into  Communion 
[son  of  Jonathan  and  Elizabeth]. 

May  26.  .776,  Dismiss'd  j  Jonathan  Lawrei,ce 

(  John  Lawrence 

to  the  Christian  Brethren  at  Ashby  in  order  to  gathering  a 
Chh. 

Persons  buried  in  Lexington  with  ye  time  when  they 
Died 

Deacon  Lawrence  14-2  [April]  1724. 

Anna  Lawrence  19-10.  1732. 

Jonthan  Lawrence’s  child  7-4.  1744. 

John  Lawrence  12-1  [March]  1747. 

Eliza  Lawrence  (Aet.  about  90)  14  [April]  1768. 

Wid.  Elizabeth  Lawrence,  (A[e]t  83)  5-4.  1790. 

Leb.  12.  1735.  Married,  Benj.  Lawrence  to  Jane 

Russell. 

Jan.  18th  1750.  Married,  Abijah  Smith  &  Mary  Lawrence. 

Oct.  19th  1758.  Married,  Bezaleel  Lawrence  &  Sarah 
Muzzy  of  Lexington. 

Nov.  7.  1764.  Married  Thaddeus  Bowman  &  Elizabeth 
Lawrence  both  of  Lexington. 

Nov.  15.  1781.  Married,  John  Smith  &  Sarah  Lawrence, 
both  of  Lexington. 

April  6.  1785.  Married,  Ebenezer  Lawrence  of  Woburn 
and  Hannah  Estabrook  of  Lexington. 

May  2.  1824.  Married,  Royal  Stearns  to  Esther  Law¬ 
rence. 

April  30.  1829.  Married,  William  H.  Piper  to  Elisabeth 
S.  Lawrence. 


OF  THE  LAWRENCE  FAMILY. 


139 


From  the  Lincoln,  Mass.,  records:  — 

Lovey  Lawrence,  daughter  of  the  Revd  Mr  William 
Lawrence  &  Mrs  Love  Larence  his  wife  was  Born  April  ye 
18th  day  1754. 

Docr  Joseph  Adams  of  Townshend  and  Mrs  [Miss]  Lovey 
Lawrence  of  Lincoln,  their  intention  of  marraige  has  Been 
Published  in  Lincoln  according  to  Law  and  a  Certificet 
given 

pr  John  Adams 

Town  Clerk. 

September  ye :  18th  1774. 

Lovey  Adams  Daughter  of  Docr  Joseph  Adams  Junr  and 
Mrs  Lovey  Adams  his  wife  was  Born  on  ye  30th :  Day  of 
September  A :  D  :  1775  and  Died  June  ye  :  10th:  A  :  D  :  1776. 

Abel  Lawrence,  son  of  the  Revd  Mr  William  Lawrence 
and  Mrs  Love  Lawrence  his  wife  was  Born  August  ye  23  day 
A.D.  1771. 

From  the  Records  of  the  Church  of  Christ  in 
Lincoln,  Mass.  ;  the  Rev.  William  Lawrence,  A.M., 
pastor  from  1748  to  1780  :  — 

Recd-  into  Chh  fellowship 

1748.  Decr.  7.  Mr.  Wm  Lawrence  his  Dismission  from  ye 
1  Chh  in  Cambridge  Being  First  Read  &  Recd. 

1750.  Novr  11th.  Love  Adams. 

April  17.  1757.  Joseph  Adams  with  his  Wife. 

BAPTIZED. 

1752.  Apr1  12.  William  Son  of  ye  Revd  Wm  Lawrence 
and  Love  his  wife. 

1754.  April  21th.  Lovey  Daughter  of  Wm  Lawrence  & 
Love  his  wife. 

1755.  Decr.  28th.  John  Prescott  Son  of  ye  Revd.  Wm 
Lawrence  &  Love  His  Wife. 


140 


HISTORICAL  SKETCHES 


175S.  Jany  8.  Susanna  D[a]ughter  of  Mr.  Wm-  Lawrence 
Pastor  of  This  Chh  and  Love  his  Wife. 

1762.  Septr.  5ht.  Phebe  Daughter  of  Wm  Lawrence  Pastor 
of  this  Chh  and  Love  his  Wife. 

1764.  March  18.  Anna  Daughter  of  Wm  Lawren[ce] 
Pastor  of  This  Chh  &  Love  his  Wife. 

1767.  Novr.  1.  Mary  Daughter  of  ye  Pastor  of  this  Chh. 
&  Love  his  Wife. 

1771.  Aug1  25th.  Abel  Son  of  Wm  Lawrence  Pastor  of 
This  Chh  &  Love  his  Wife. 

Recd.  into  Chh.  fellowship 

1774.  Aug4.  21.  Lovey  Lawrence  oldest  Daughter  of  the 
Pastor  of  this  Chh. 

Aug  3d  1783.  Sarah  Lawrence,  Susannah  Lawrence, 
Phoebe  Lawrence,  Anna  Lawrence  and  Mary  Lawrence. 

MARRIED. 

Novr.  23.  1774.  Docr.  Joseph  Adams  to  Mrs  Lovey 
Lawrence. 


BAPTIZED. 

1 77 5.  Octr.  1.  Lovey,  daughter  of  Docr.  Joseph  Adams 
and  Lovey  his  wife  and  grandaughter  of  ye  Pastor  of  this 
Chh. 

Decr.  26.  1779.  Thus  far  the  Revd  Mr  Wra  Lawrence  who 
died  Apriel.  1 1  :  1780  : 


MARRIED. 

1783.  Octr.  30th. 

Mr  Sam11  Bass  of  Braintree  to  Miss  Sally  Lawrence  of 
Lincoln. 

The  Revd.  Edmund  Foster  of  Littleton  to  Miss  Phoebe 
Lawrence  of  Lincoln. 

1790.  Decr.  23d.  Mr  David  Lawrence  of  Littleton  to  Miss 
Patty  Adams  of  Lincoln. 


OF  THE  LAWRENCE  FAMILY. 


141 

From  the  “Records  of  Births  deaths  and  Maryages  :  &  : 
C:for  the  toune  of  Wooburne  In  the  County  of  Midlesix 
in  the  Masathusets  Colany  In  Nue  England  from  the  yeer 
of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  (1641)  [.]  note  heer  also  yt  the 
yeer  begins  on  the  first  day  of  March  Annualy  :  ”  — 

BIRTHS. 

Olive  Lawrence,  daughter  of  Nathaniel  and  Bathsheba, 
March  24,  1749. 

Jonathan  Lawrence,  son  of  Jonathan  and  Rachel,  May 
24,  1752. 

Joseph  Lawrence,  son  of  Jonathan  and  Rachel,  November 
12,  1754. 

Ebenezer  Lawrence,  son  of  Jonathan  and  Rachel,  October 
16,  1757. 

Jonathan  Lawrence,  son  of  Jonathan  and  Elizabeth, 
December  1 1,  1758. 

Rachel  Lawrence,  daughter  of  Jonathan  and  Rachel, 
October  —  ,  1 760. 

Elizabeth  Lawrence,  daughter  of  Jonathan  and  Elizabeth, 
April  26,  1761. 

Benjamin  Lawrence,  son  of  Jonathan  and  Elizabeth,  May 
28,  1764. 

Nathaniel  Lawrence,  son  of  Jonathan  and  Rachel,  July 
2,  1764. 

Dorcas  Lawrence,  daughter  of  Jonathan  and  Elizabeth, 
September  7  [?],  1766. 

Ruth  Lawrence,  daughter  of  Jonathan  and  Rachel, 
February  12,  1767. 

Micah  Lawrence,  son  of  Jonathan  and  Elizabeth,  August 
22,  1769. 

William  Johnson  Lawrence,  son  of  Jonathan  and  Elizabeth, 
January  1,  1773. 

Ebenezer  Lawrence,  son  of  Ebenezer  and  Hannah,  June 

5.  17S5- 


1 4- 


HISTORICAL  SKETCHES 


Joseph  Lawrence,  son  of  Ebenezer  and  Hannah,  September 
23,  1788. 

Nathaniel  Lawrence,  son  of  Ebenezer  and  Hannah,  July 
12,  1791. 

Jonathan  Lawrence,  son  of  Ebenezer  and  Hannah,  June 
8  [?],  1794. 

Melicent  Lawrence,  daughter  of  Ebenezer  and  Hannah, 
May  17,  1796. 


MARRIAGES. 

Thomas  Ditson  of  Billerica  and  Elizabeth  Lawrence  of 
Woburn,  June  22,  1732. 

Elisha  Tottingham  and  Sarah  Lawrence,  both  of  Woburn, 
May  27,  1736. 

John  Lawrence  and  Mary  Simonds,  October  23,  1736. 

William  Tuttle  and  Mary  Lawrence,  May  30,  1738. 

James  Simonds  and  Anna  Lawrence,  May  12,  1740. 

Thomas  Locke  of  Lexington  and  Rebecca  Lawrence  of 
Woburn,  June  27,  1751. 

Jonathan  Lawrence,  jun.,  and  Elizabeth  Johnson,  Decem¬ 
ber  13,  1757. 

Jonas  Lawrence  of  Lexington  and  Dorcas  Wood  of 
Woburn. 

John  Attwood  entered  his  Intentions  of  Marriage  with 
Elizabeth  Lawrence,  both  of  Woburn,  July  3,  1751. 

DEATHS. 

Nathaniel  Lawrence,  January  6,  1737. 

John  Lawrence,  January  22,  1752,  aged  63  years. 

Jonathan  Lawrence,  August  1,  1793,  67  years. 

Jonathan  Lawrence,  May  16,  1795.  aged  1  year. 

Rachel  Lawrence,  widow  of  Jonathan,  April  21,  1823,  93 
years. 


OF  THE  LAWRENCE  FAMILY. 


143 


Hannah  Lawrence,  wife  of  Ebenezer,  November  25,  1835, 
75  years. 

Joseph  Lawrence,  February  8,  1836,  81  years. 

Deacon  Ebenezer  Lawrence,  January  12,  1842,  84  years. 

Note.  —  In  order  to  render  the  above  list  complete,  certain  extracts, 
previously  overlooked,  were  supplied  from  duly  attested  copies  (not 
verbatim )  prepared  by  a  town  official.  With  a  view  to  uniformity,  the 
spelling  has  been  modernized. 


From  the  Woburn  records:  — 

Abstracts  from  Public  Records  Relating  to  the  Early 
Plantation  at  Woburn. 

I  (From  Charlestown  Records)  1643:  “The  30:  of  the  X 
month.  (Margin)  John  Lawrance  grantd  a  Lott  on  Mistick 
side  &  /  &  15  acres  towards  /  Wobourne./ 

(Text.)  John  Lawrance  was  granted  John  Seers  Lott  on 
Mistick  s[i]d[e]  if  it  be  /  not  already  disposed  of,  &  Like¬ 
wise  15  Acres  towards  the  Village./.” 

Taken  in  Damage  and  Impounded  by  John  Lawrance 
Junr  of  Woburn  August  ye  28th  1734  a  cartain  darke  bay 
mair  colt  with  a  stair  in  ye  forehead  and  a  littel  peice  cutt 
out  of  ye  under  sid[e]  of  ye  near  eare  and  is  Judged  to  be 
Two  years  old. 

Entrecl  August  ye  30th  1734 

pr  John  Fowle  Town  Clerke. 

From  the  records  of  the  Second  Precinct  of 
Woburn  (afterwards  Burlington)  :  — 

[These  records  are  kept  at  the  house  of  Samuel  Sewall, 
Town  Clerk,  whose  father  was  the  author  of  the  “  History  of 
Woburn.”  In  this  house  the  patriots  John  Hancock  and 
Samuel  Adams  took  refuge  on  the  morning  of  April  19, 
I775-] 


144 


HISTORICAL  SKETCHES 


“AtLexentown  Nouemberthe  fi[r]st,  1730,  John  Larrance, 
Collecter  [and  the  other]  precinct  officers  Ware  Sworn  Before 
f ranees  Boman  esi  one  of  His  majestes  Justeses  of  ye 
peece.” 

From  the  records  of  the  Second  Parish  of  Woburn 
(Burlington) :  — 

“Dec1'  28th  1735.  Elizabeth  Lawrance  was  admitted  being 
dismiss’d  from  Lexington.” 


From  the  Westborough,  Mass.,  records:  — 

Benjamin  Laurence  was  Born  of  Benjamin  Laurence  and 
Jane  his  wife  Novmbr  22  1735. 

Benjamin  Laurence  ye  Son  of  Benjamin  Laurence  and 
Jane  his  wife  Departed  this  Life  October  ye  13  1736. 

Abigail  Laurence  was  Born  of  Benjamin  Laurence  and 
Jane  his  wife  August  ye  20  1737. 

Submit  Larance  was  Born  of  Benja  Larance  and  Joan  his 
wife  July  ye  29th  1739. 

Elizabeth  Larance  was  Born  of  Benja  Larance  and  Joan 
his  wife  March  ye  7.  1741. 

Annah  Larance  was  Born  of  Benja  Larance  and  Joan  his 
wife  August  ye  19,  1742 

Joan  Larance  was  born  of  Benja  Larance  and  Joan  his  wife 
March  ye  2.  1745/6 

From  the  Bolton,  Mass.,  records  :  — 

Amos,  son  of  Benj.  &  Jane  Laurence  was  born  July  26th 
1748. 

Sarah,  daughter  of  Benj.  &  Jane  Laurence  was  born  Oct. 
1  Ith  1750. 

Jonathan  son  of  Benj.  &  Jane  Laurence  was  born  Sept. 
8th  1754. 


OF  THE  LAWRENCE  FAMILY. 


H5 


THE  LAWRENCES  OF  KILLINGLY,  CONN. 

At  about  the  time  when  Daniel  Lawrence,  a  son  of 
Enosh,  and  his  family  removed  from  Groton,  Mass.,  to 
Plainfield,  Conn.,  another  person  of  the  same  name 
became  a  resident  of  the  northerly  part  of  the  town¬ 
ship,  afterwards  Killingly.  Of  the  ancestry  of  this 
latter  individual,  we  have  no  definite  knowledge  ;  but 
it  is  not  probable  that  he  was  a  descendant  of  John  of 
Wisset,  Eng.  This  Daniel  Lawrence  was  an  early 
member  of  the  church  in  Kill ingly ,  and  was  living  in 
that  town  in  the  year  of  its  organization,  1708.  No 
town  records  were  kept  until  twenty  years  later  ;  but  in 
the  record  ol  land-grants  at  Danielsonville,  we  find 
that  “  David  Russell  of  Killingly  sold  to  Daniell 
Lawrance,  husbandman  [May  15,  1711]  a  cartaine 
tract  or  parcell  of  land  att  a  cartaine  place  called 
Wood-hill,”  containing  one  hundred  acres. 

Again,  on  Dec.  8,  1718,  Daniel  Lawrence  bought  of 
Samuel  Spaulding  “  ye  one  half  of  a  Right  of  a 
hundred  acre  division  of  land  in  Killingly  which  lyeth 
in  the  purchase  of  land  bought  by  the  Plainfield  men 
of  Oweneco.” 

On  the  first  page  of  the  oldest  volume  of  the  town 
records  is  the  following  :  — 

[1708]  “Daniel  Lawrence  chosen  surveyor  of  highways.” 
“  It  was  then  voted  that  the  bridg  over  the  littel  River  in 
Daniel  Lawrences  field  to  be  a  cart  Bridg.” 

“At  a  meeting  of  the  Inhabitents  of  Killingly  Convened 
togatber  on  the  first  tuesday  of  December,  1732;  Chose 
Edward  Convers  Constable  ;  and  he  hiered  Daniel  Lawrance 
to  serve  in  his  Rome  and  the  town  Accepted  of  him  and  he 
is  sworn.” 


146 


HISTORICAL  SKETCHES 


“At  a  Town  Meeting  held  at  the  public  Meeting-house  in 
ye  South  Society  in  Sd  Town  on  ye  third  tuesday  of  January 
1 724/5,  Then  Voted  to  pay  Mr  Daniel  Lawrence  I2s/9d  for 
his  warning  the  Graves’s,  Thoit  &  Bliss  out  of  this  Town  & 
traveling  after  Hepsibah  Mackintier  to  warn  her  out  of  town 
&  returning  ye  writ.” 

Daniel  Lawrence  died  April  8,  1747,  leaving  several 
sons.  The  following  item  (Killingly  town  records,  vol. 
i.  p.  4)  refers  to  one  of  them  :  — 

“Daniel  Lawrance  [jun.]  and  Marey  Abbe,  both  of  this 
town  ware  Joyned  to  gather  in  marriage  by  the  Revd.  Mr 
James  Hale  of  Ashford  the  22d  of  Sept.  1731.” 

In  the  records  of  the  First  Parish  or  North  Ecclesi¬ 
astical  Society,  formerly  of  Killingly,  now  of  Putnam, 
Conn.,  is  — 

“An  Acc1-  of  the  Names  of  those  with  Respect  to  whom 
Lettr  Recom  :  &  Dismissory  have  been  obtained  for  ye  more 
Orderly  Translation  &  Pertaking  of  Speciale  Privilidges  with 
ye  chh  of  Killingley  : 

Elizabeth  Lawrence  from  Plainfield,  May  13,  1721. 

Marey  wife  of  Dan11  Lawrence,  Nov.  14.  1736. 

Mr  Cabot  baptized  Asa,  ye  Infant  son  of  Dan11  &  Marey 
Lawrence,  May  20,  1743. 

Renewed  Covenant,  Esther  Daughter  of  Dan11  Lawrence 
[sen.]  July  5.  1730. 

Received  to  Full  Communion,  Dan11  Lawrence  Oct.  15, 

1738- 

Baptized  by  Rd  M.  Cutter,  John  ye  Infant  son  of  Dan"  & 
Mary  Lawrence,  Aug.  24.  1735. 

Owned  the  covenant.  Phebe  wife  of  Elihu  Lawrence,  July 
30.  1758. 


OF  THE  LAWRENCE  FAMILY. 


H7 


Elihu  Larance  &  Phebe  Wilson,  married  March  4,  1756 
by  Aaron  Brown. 

Asa  Lawrence  &  Lucy  Joy,  married  Mar.  18,  1766. 
Baptized.  John,  son  of  Elihu  Lawrence,  Aug.  6.  1758.” 


Daniel  Lawrence,  jun.,  was  a  member  of  the  South 
Parish  church  in  Killingly,  when  it  was  organized  in 
1746.  Two  of  his  sons,  Elihu  and  Asa,  are  frequently 
mentioned  in  the  town  records.  Deacon  John  Law¬ 
rence,  who  died  in  1832,  was  a  son  of  Elihu.  Asa  had 
a  son  Lyman.  Mr.  Horace  Lawrence,  now  (1887) 
about  eighty  years  old,  and  a  resident  of  Killingly,  is  a 
son  of  Lyman  Lawrence. 

From  the  Killingly,  Conn.,  records:  — 

Samuel  Lawrence’s  mark  for  his  Creatures  is  three  slitts 
in  the  under  side  of  the  left  Ear.  Entered  June  ye  4th- 

1735- 

[Samuel  Lawrence  was  probably  a  younger  brother  of 
Daniel,  sen.] 

Daniel  Lawrance’s  mark  for  his  Creturs  is  a  sort  of  a 
notch  Like  a  saw  Carf  [carved]  out  of  the  under  side  of  the 
near  Eare.  Entred  the  4th  day  of  november  1747. 

Elihu  Laurance  Mark  for  his  Creteers  is  a  haole  [hole] 
out  of  ye  uper  side  of  ye  nigh  Eare  and  a  Sqiare  Crope  of 
ye  same  ere.  Entred  may  ye  28  Day  1761. 

Asa  Lawrence  Eare  mark  for  his  Creters  is  [a]  Hole  throw 
Each  Eare  Entered  July  the  7th  Day  1768. 

John  Lawrence  Ear  Mark  for  his  Creatures  is  a  Swallers 
Tale  in  the  Right  Eare  and  Two  Slits  in  the  End  of  the 
Left  Ear  which  was  Ephraim  Robbins  mark  Entered  Dec  . 
22nd  Day  1786. 


HISTORICAL  SKETCHES 


148 

Killingly  Registry  of  Deeds  (Book  I.  p.  15):  — 

Nathaniel  and  Sarah  Lawrence  of  Charlestown,  Mass., 
convey  an  “Estate  of  Inheritance”  to  John  Grover,  Septem¬ 
ber  1 6th,  1717. 

From  the  Canaan,  Conn.,  records:  — 

Gideon  Lawrence  Junrs  Eare  mark  for  his  Creatures  is  a 
smooth  Crop  off  the  Top  of  Each  Ear.  Aug  28.  1751. 

Isaac  Lawrences  Eare  mark  for  his  Cretures  is  a  square 
crop  cut  out  of  ye  Left  eare.  Entered  by  David  Wright 
Town  Clerk,  November  23d  1763. 

Rufus  Lawrence  his  Ear  mark  for  his  Creatures  is  a  half 
Crop  on  the  under  side  of  the  Left  ear.  Entered  May  ye 
19th,  1766,  pr  Jonas  Lawrence  Regr. 

[Gideon  and  Rufus  were  sons  of  Daniel,  jun.,  and  Jonas 
was  the  eldest  child  of  Capt.  Isaac  Lawrence.] 


“Thrice  happy  he  whose  name  has  been  well  spelt.”  —  Byron. 

The  family  name  is  probably  derived  from  the  Latin 
Laurentius.  It  is  now  quite  generally  written  Law¬ 
rence ;  but  Laurence ,  Laurance ,  and  Lawrance  have 
also  the  sanction  of  reputable  usage. 

Many  modifications  in  the  spelling  of  the  name  are 
found  in  old  records  and  legal  documents,  and  a  list 
of  some  of  them  is  here  given  :  — 


Laurenc. 

Laranc. 

Loranc. 

Lawranc. 

Larranc. 

Lorranc. 

Lawrrance. 

Larance. 

Lorence. 

Lawrrence. 

Larenc. 

Lorense. 

Lawranse. 

Larence. 

Lorins. 

Lauarance. 

Larrence. 

Lorinc. 

Lawarnce. 

Larense. 

Laurrance. 

Lawanace. 

Larrance. 

Lawriance. 

Lawrans. 

Larrans. 

Laureance. 

Lawrens. 

Larraness. 

Lawrince. 

Larwance. 

Larurnz. 

Lauarnce. 

OF  THE  LAWRENCE  FAMILY. 


1 49 


From  the  records  of  Canaan,  Conn.  :  — 

Gideon  Laurence  of  Canaan  Married  to  Jerusha  Richards 
of  Norfolk  the  3rd  Day  of  October  1749 

Asa  Laurence  Son  to  Gideon  Laurence  and  Jerusha  his 
Wife  was  Born  October  ye  7th  1750 

Stephen  Laurence  Son  to  Daniel  Laurence  Jur  and  Rachel 
his  Wife  was  Born  February  ye  21st  1740/41 

Loes  Laurence  Daughter  to  Daniel  Laurence  Jur  and 
Rachel  his  Wife  was  Born  April  the  12th  1743 

Daniel  Lawrence  Son  to  Daniel  Laurence  Jur  and  Rachel 
his  Wife  was  Born  August  ye  30th  1748 

Thomas  Fellows  of  Canaan  Married  to  Sarah  Laurence  of 
sd  Canaan  May  ye  Third  1750 

Hannah  Laurence  Daughter  of  Isaac  Laurence  and  Lidiah 
his  wife  was  Born  ye  25th  Day  of  May  1750 

Lidia  Laurence  Daughter  to  Isaac  Laurence  and  Lidia  his 
wife  was  Born  Desember  2  1747 

William  Laurence  Son  of  Isaac  Laurence  and  Lidia  his 
wife  Deceased  January  ye  5th  1750. 

Solomon  Lawrence  Son  of  Isaac  Laurence  and  Lidia  his 
Wife  Deceased  July  ye  21st  1750 

Nehemiah  Laurence  of  Canaan  was  Married  to  Sarah 
Boardman  of  Sheffield  by  ye  Revnd  Mr  Hubbard  ye  28  Day 
of  November  1749 

Asa  Lawrence  ye  son  of  Isaac  Laurence  and  Lidia  his  wife 
Deceased  ye  24th  Day  of  July  1750. 

Lidia  Lawrence  ye  Daughter  of  Isaac  Laurence  and  Lidia 
his  Wife  Deceased  ye  4th  Day  of  August,  1750 

Oliver  Strong  was  married  to  Lois  Laurence  ye  10th  day  of 
April  1760 

Lidiah  Lawrence  ye  Daughter  of  Jonas  Lawrence  &  Try- 
phena  his  Wife  was  born  October  ye  22nd  Day  1756. 

Lidiah  Lawrence  ye  Daughter  of  Jonas  Lawrence  &  Try- 
phena  his  Wife  Departed  this  Life  January  ye  5th  Day  1857 
William  Solomon  Lawrence  the  Son  of  Jonas  Lawrence 
&  Tryphena  his  Wife  was  born  ye  31st  of  October  1758 


HISTORICAL  SKETCHES 


150 

Nehemiah  Laurence  ye  Son  of  Nehemiah  Laurence  & 
Elisabeth  his  Wife  was  Born  June  ye  7th  1757 

Sarah  Laurence  ye  Daughter  of  Nehemiah  Laurence  & 
Elisabeth  his  Wife  Was  Born  ye  24th  Day  of  July  1754 

Jonas  Lawrence  was  Married  to  Tryphena  Lawren[ce]  of 
Littleton  on  September  ye  3rd  1754 

Nehemiah  Laurence  was  Married  to  Elisabeth  Robbards 
ye  12  Day  of  April  1753  by  Mr  Daniel  Farrend. 

Johnathan  Laurence  was  Married  to  Bette  Green  ye  24th 
Day  of  June  1756 

Asa  Laurence  ye  Son  of  Johnathan  Laurence  &  Bette  his 
Wife  was  Born  April  ye  3rd  1757 

Bette  Laurence  ye  Daughter  of  Johnathan  Laurence  & 
Bette  his  Wife  was  Born  ye  15th  day  of  December  1759 

Isaac  Laurence  Junr  was  Married  to  Mary  Brown  of  Stock- 
bridge  on  ye  18th  Day  of  March  1760 

Elijah  Cobb  was  Married  to  Amy  Lawrence  on  ye  20th 
Day  of  March  1760. 

Abiah  Laurence  ye  Daughter  of  Jonas  Laurence  &  Try¬ 
phena  his  Wife  Was  born  November  ye  30th  1760. 

Lidiah  Laurence  ye  Daughter  of  Isaac  Laurence  &  Mary 
his  Wife  Was  Born  September  ye  second  Day  1761. 

Elijah  Lawrence  ye  Son  of  Isaac  Laurence  &  Mary  his 
Wife  was  Born  ye  17th  Day  of  October  1763 

Abel  Lawrence  ye  Son  of  Jonas  Laurence  &  Tryphena 
his  Wife  was  Born  Septemr-ye  2 2d  1763 

David  Laurence  was  Married  to  Sarah  Tubbs  Septemr  ye 
16th  1756 

David  Lawrence  ye  Son  of  David  Lawrence  &  Sarah  his 
Wife  was  born  January  ye  2nd  Day  1758 

Olive  Lawrence  ye  Daughter  of  David  Lawrence  &  Sarah 
his  Wife  was  Born  January  ye  13th  1760 

Nathan  Laurence  ye  Son  of  David  Lawrence  &  Sarah  his 
Wife  was  Born  January  ye  25th  1762 

Arial  Lawrence  ye  Son  of  David  Laurence  &  Sarah  his 
Wife  was  Born  January  ye  3rd  1764 


OF  THE  LAWRENCE  EAMIL1. 


I5I 

Johnathan  Laurence  the  Son  of  Johnathan  Laurence  & 
Bette  his  Wife  was  Born  February  ye  20th  1762 

Lydia  Laurence  the  Daughter  of  Johnathan  Laurence  & 
Bette  his  Wife  Was  Born  September  ye  13th  1763 

Abiram  Lawrence  the  Son  of  Johnathan  Laurence  and 
Bette  his  Wife  Was  Born  August  19th  1765 

Willard  Green  Was  Married  to  Eunice  Laurence  March 
ye  Ist  1759 

Sarah  Lawrence  the  Daughter  of  Nathaniel  Lawrence  & 
Sarah  his  Wife  Was  Born  February  ye  19th  1759 

Martha  Laurence  the  Daughter  of  Nathaniel  Laurence  & 
Sarah  his  Wife  was  Born  January  ye  11th  1761 

Anfon  Laurence  the  Son  of  Nathaniel  Laurence  &  Sarah 
his  Wife  was  Born  May  ye  Ist  1763 

Sarah  Laurence  the  Wife  of  Nathaniel  Lawrence  Deceafed 
March  ye  9th  1765  &  in  the  25th  year  of  her  age 
Josiah  Laurence  the  Son  of  Jonas  Lawrence  &  Tryphena 
his  Wife  Was  Born  October  ye  16th  1765 

Lydia  Laurence  the  Wife  of  Isaac  Laurence  Deceafed 
November  ye  14th  1767 

Samuel  Laurence  the  Son  of  Isaac  Lawrence  Junr  &  Mary 
his  Wife  was  Born  November  ye  19th  1765 

Isaac  Laurence  the  Son  of  Isaac  Laurence  Junr  &  Mary 
his  Wife  was  Born  November  ye  22nd  1767 

Olive  Lawrence  the  Daughter  of  Johnathan  Laurence  & 
Bette  his  Wife  was  Born  August  ye  20th  1767 

Tryphena  Lawrence  the  Daughter  of  Jonas  Laurence  and 
Tryphena  his  Wife  Was  Born  July  the  4th  1768. 

Mary  Laurence  Daughter  to  Isaac  Lawrence  Jr.  and  his 
wife  was  Born  May  ye  4th  AD  1770 

Ruluff  Laurence  Son  to  Johnathan  Laurence  and  Bette 
his  Wife  was  Born  January  ye  10th  AD  1771 

Olive  Lawrence  wife  to  Jeremiah  Lawrence  Deceafed  April 
ye  [  7th  AD  1772 

Jeremiah  Lawrence  was  Married  to  Elifabeth  Smith  June 
ye  23rd  AD  1772 


4 


152 


HISTORICAL  SKETCHES 


Apame  Lawrence  Daughter  to  Isaac  Laurence  Junr  and 
Mary  his  Wife  was  Born  December  ye  7th  1772 

Elifabeth  Lawrence  Wife  of  Jeremiah  Lawrence  Departed 
this  Life  March  ye  31st  1772 

Jabes  Lawrence  Son  to  Jeremiah  Lawrence  and  Elifabeth 
his  Wife  was  Born  March  24th  1772 

Jeremiah  Laurence  was  Married  to  Elifabith  Higbee  July 
ye  5th  AD  lyy^ 

William  Laurence  Son  to  Jeremiah  Laurence  and  Elifa¬ 
beth  his  Wife  was  born  October  ye  19th  1774 

Benjamine  and  Joseph  Lawrence  Sons  to  Johnathan  Law¬ 
rence  and  Bette  his  Wife  was  Born  may  ye  25th  1774 

Zimery  [?]  Laurence  Son  to  Johnathan  Laurence  and 
Bette  his  Wife  Was  Born  September  ye  4th  1772 

Afa  Lawrence  was  Married  to  Lucy  Miller  January  ye 
1770 

Eunice  Laurence  Daughter  to  Afa  Laurence  and  Lucy  his 
wife  was  born  December  ye  29th  1771 

Jedediah  Laurence  Son  to  Afa  Laurence  &  Lucy  his  Wife 
was  born  March  ye  4th  1774 

Abigail  Laurence  Daughter  to  Johnathan  Laurence  & 
Bette  his  Wife  was  born  April  ye  28th  1776 

Putnam  Laurence  Son  to  Jeremiah  Laurence  &  Elizabeth 
his  [Wife]  was  born  December  ye  3rd  1776 

Joseph  Kingman  was  married  to  Sarah  Laurence  Septem¬ 
ber  15  th  1774 

Henry  Lawrence  Son  to  Isaac  Laurence  Jur.  and  Mary 
his  Wife  was  born  February  ye  25th  1778 

Thomas  Tubbs  was  married  to  Amy  Lawrence  Nov.  10th 
1779. 

Roger  Rood  was  married  to  Betty  Laurence  June  ye  2d 
AD  1779 

Charlotte  Laurence  Daughter  to  Jonas  Lawrence  and 
Tryfena  his  Wife  was  Born  October  ye  13,  1770. 

Consider  Laurence  Son  to  Jonas  Laurence  and  Tryfena 
his  Wife  was  Born  February  ye  8,  1777 


OF  THE  LAWRENCE  FAMILY. 


153 


Bille  Laurence  Son  to  Jonas  Laurence  and  Tryfena  his 
Wife  was  Born  January  ye  31st  1779 

William  Solomon  Laurence  Was  Married  to  Esther  Dut¬ 
ton  October  12th  AD.  1780. 

Experience,  Daughter  to  Wm  So'.  Laurence  &  Esther  his 
wife  was  Born  July  28th  1781. 

Jonas,  Son  to  Wm  So1.  Laurence  &  Esther  his  Wife  Was 
Born  November  25th  1782 

Erastus,  Son  to  Isaac  Laurence  and  Mary  his  wife  was 
Born  March  11th  1780. 

Also  Pamela  Daughter  to  sd  Isaac  and  Mary  Laurence 
was  Born  May  17th  1782 

Abel  Laurence  Was  Married  to  Abigail  Rockwell  October 
the  6th  1783 

Their  Son  Was  still  Born  August  21st  1784. 

A  Son  to  Abel  Laurence  &  Abigail  his  Wife  was  still 
Born  December  25th  1785. 

Elisha,  Son  to  David  Laurence  and  Sarah  his  Wife  Was 
Born  December  9th  1766. 

Simon,  Son  to  David  Laurence  and  Sarah  his  Wife  Was 
Born  January  22nd  1768,  &  Died  Jany  26th  1768 

Sarah,  Daughter  to  David  Lawrence  and  Sarah  his  Wife 
was  Born  June  17th  1769 

Joseph,  Son  to  David  Laurence  &  Sarah  his  Wife  was 
Born  June  7th  1771. 

Phebe,  Daughter  to  David  Laurence  &  Sarah  his  Wife 
Was  Born  July  9th  1773. 

Mary,  Daughter  to  David  Laurence  and  Sarah  his  Wife 
was  Born  August  7th  1775 

Charry,  Daughter  to  David  Laurence  &  Sarah  his  Wife 
was  Born  September  18th  1782 

Elisabeth  Laurence  Relict  to  Cap4.  Nehemiah  Laurence 
Departed  this  Life  March  5th  1786 

Cap4.  Nehemiah  Laurence  Was  Married  to  the  Widow 
Abigail  Sutton,  Oct.  194’1  1786. 

Jeremiah  Son  to  Nehemiah  Laurence  &  Elisabeth  his 
Wife  Born  June  15th  1760. 


154 


HISTORICAL  SKETCHES 


Jeremiah  Laurence  Was  Married  to  Phebe  Stevens  Jan¬ 
uary  25  th  1786. 

Wolcott,  Son  to  Jeremiah  Laurence  and  Phebe  his  Wife 
was  Born  November  4th  1786. 

Charlotte  Daughter  to  Cap1.  Nehemiah  Laurence  &  Abigail 
his  wife  was  Born  Jany  11th  1788. 

Thomas  Tubbs,  Married  to  Ame  Laurence  November  9th 
1780. 

Villa,  Son  to  Nehemiah  Laurence  &  Abigail  his  Wife  Was 
Born  Dec  .  6,  1789  at  one  Oclock  morn. 

Silas,  Son  to  Nathaniel  Laurence  and  Elizabeth  his  wife 
Born  September  26th  1774 

Phebe  Daughter  to  Nathaniel  Laurence  &  Elizabeth  his 
Wife  was  Born  August  8th  AD  1780. 

Orrange,  Son  to  William  Solomon  Laurence  &  Esther  his 
wife  was  born  February  23rd  1796 

Eleanor  Laurence  was  Born  January  23rd  17621 

Josiah  Laurences  &  Ama  Rockwell’s  Births  &  Marriages, 
&  their  Children’s  Births 

Josiah  Laurence  was  born  October  16th  1765. 

Ama  Rockwell  was  born  May  4th  1762. 

Josiah  Laurence  Was  Married  unto  Ama  Rockwell  Feb¬ 
ruary  7th  1788. 

Abiah  Laurence  Daughter  of  said  Josiah  and  Ama  was 
born  Novm  28th  1788. 

Harvey  Laurence  Son  of  sd  Josiah  &  Ama  Was  born 
March  19th  1791. 

Abigail  Laurence  Daughter  of  sd  Josiah  and  Ama  was 
born  January  29th  1793. 

Betsey  Laurence  Daughter  of  sd  Josiah  &  Ama  was  born 
Febr  21st  1799 

1  Eleanor  Laurence  married  a  Van  Deusen.  The  births  of  her  children  are 
entered  on  record  book  at  Canaan. 


OF  THE  LAWRENCE  FAMILY. 


155 


Charlotte  Laurence  Daughter  of  sd  Josiah  &  Ama  was 
born  May  4th  1802. 

Ama  Laurence  Died  May  17th  1812. 

Harvey  Laurence  Was  Married  unto  Betsey  Deming 
[Dunning]  November  24th  1812  By  Rev.  Pitkin  Cowles 

Sereno  B.  Gillette  was  Married  unto  Abigail  Lawrence 
December  30th  1812  by  Revd  P.  Cowles. 

Nathaniel  Laurence  was  Married  unto  Sarah  Stevens  Febr 
1  Ith  1796 

Albert,  Son  to  Nathaniel  and  Sarah  Laurence,  was  born 
Decm  23rd  1797. 

Lyman  Son  to  Nathaniel  &  Sarah  Laurence  was  born 
Sept.  25th  1801 

Phebe,  Daughter  to  Nathaniel  &  Sarah  Laurence  was  born 
Sept.  20th  1810 

Nathan  Laurence  was  Married  unto  Polly  Waid  January 
27th  1787 

George  Son  to  said  Nathan  &  Polly,  was  born  Sept  8th 

l79l 

Lewis,  Son  to  sd  Nathan  &  Polly  was  born  February  21, 

1793 

Betsey,  Daughter  to  sd  Nathan  &  Polly  was  born  Febr  5th 
1797. 

Lucy  Daughter  to  sd  Nathan  &  Polly  was  born  June  14th 
1799 

Welthy,  Daughter  to  sd  Nathan  &  Polly  was  born  July  29th 
1801. 

Leonard  Son  to  sd  Nathan  &  Polly  was  born  Augus[t]  4th 
1802 

William  Laurence  was  Married  unto  Lotta  Rood  Octo¬ 
ber  7th  1801. 

Laura  Laurence  Daughter  to  sd  Wm  &  Lotta  born  Novm  5 
1802 

Julia  Daughter  to  sd  Wm  &  Lotta  born  September  18th 
1804. 


HISTORICAL  SKETCHES. 


156 

William  Son  to  sd  Wm  &  Lotta  born  July  22nd  1806 
Jane  Daughter  to  sd  Wm  &  Lotta  born  July  29th  1808 
Mariah  Daughter  to  sd  Wm  &  Lotta  born  March  21st 
1 8 1 1 

Frederic,  Son  to  sd  Wm  &  Lotta  born  August  15th  1813 


FAMILY  REGISTER. 


FAMILY 


REGISTER. 


FAMILY 


REGISTER. 


FAMILY 


REGISTER. 


FAMILY  REGISTER. 


FAMILY 


REGISTER 


APPENDIX. 


[Numbers  I.  to  XI.,  inclusive,  are  copies  of  original  papers  in  the 
possession  of  the  writer.  The  sources  from  which  the  remaining  numbers 
were  obtained  are  indicated  in  each  case.] 


APPENDIX. 


i. 

The  lands  of  ensign  nath:  Lawrance  as  it  is  in  ye  town 
Records,  pag[e]  79  of  Groten  — 

1  His  uplands,  first  his  houslot  ffiue  acres  mor  or  Lesse 
Bounded  northerly  with  cap1  Parker  east  with  william  Greene 
and  on  all  other  poynts  with  the  towne  comon. 

2  At  Gibbet  Hill  thirty  acres  mor  or  lesse  Bounded  south 
with  william  Greene  easterly  and  westerly  with  cap4  Parker 
and  on  all  other  poynts  with  the  towns  hye  way  — 

3  At  Indian  hill  west  with  Justin  Holden  east  with  Jn° 
morsse  north  with  the  hye  way  south  with  the  ends  of  the 
other  lots 

4  At  tobaco  pip[e]  Playne  fforty  seaven  acres  mor  or  lesse 
Bounded  northerly  with  Cap4  Parker  westerly  with  Ephraim 
ffilbrick  part  southeast  with  William  Longley  near  dear 
medow  and  on  all  other  poynts  with  the  towns  comon  the 
hye  way  runing  thorow  it  to  pond  and  Long  medow  — 

5  Entervaill  on  the  west  sid  of  the  River  twelve  acres 
more  or  lesse  Bounded  north  with  John  Pag  south  with  Justin 
holden  easterly  with  the  River  westerly  with  the  towns 
comon  — 

6  Sixe  acres  mor  or  Lesse  Bounded  easterly  with  his  owne 
medow  westerly  with  the  lands  of  Pelleg  Lawrance  and  on 
all  other  poynts  with  ye  towns  comon  — 

7  Seaven  acres  mor  or  lesse  swamp  medow  and  upland 
Bounded  part  easterly  and  southerly  with  the  swamp  of  cap4 


i66 


APPENDIX. 


Parker  easterly  with  the  Land  of  William  Greene  and  on  all 
other  poynts  with  the  towns  comon  upland  — 

8  Sixty  acres  mor  or  Lesse  fforty  acres  of  it  I  bought  of  the 
town  Bounded  Round  with  the  towns  comon  as  the  mark 
trees  direct  Lyeing  southerly  with  Long  medow  — 

A  committee  chusen  by  the  town  to  sell  Land  sold  to 
ensign  Lawrance  two  persels  of  Land  near  his  hous  contein- 
ing  four  acres  mor  or  lesse  beeing  and  Lyeing  as  followeth 
the  one  psell  on  the  south  sid[e]  of  the  hyeway  that  goe  to 
fflaggy  medow  alowing  the  hyway  four  poll  wid  from  william 
Greens  Land  this  land  is  Bounded  northerly  by  the  aforesaid 
hyeway[,]  easterly  by  the  towns  comon  land[,]  southerly 
partly  by  the  swamp  of  Samuell  Woods  and  p4ly  by  William 
Green[,]  southwesterly  by  the  sd  Lawrances  own  Land  the 
sd  hyeway  to  be  left  4  poll  wid  conteining  the  Length  of 
William  Greens  Line  and  then  the  sd  Lawrances  land  doe 
run  with  a  slent  by  the  great  stump  to  his  own  fence  near 
the  bridg  alowing  William  Green  a  hyeway  to  his  medow  to 
fetch  hay  and  the  sd  Lawrance  is  to  maintain  a  sufficient  pair 
of  barrs  or  gate. 

The  other  persell  adioyning  to  his  own  houslot  bounded 
southerly  by  ye  hyeway  leading  to  the  town  westerly  and 
northerly  by  the  Lands  of  cap4  James  Parker  and  easterly 
with  the  sd  Lawrances  owne  Land  this  Land  beeing  satisfied 
for  by  the  acknowledgment  of  the  towne  committe  — 

1  Medow  upon  chelmsford  Line  ffive  acres  mor  or  lesse 
Bounded  easterly  with  chelmsford  Line  west  with  Jonathan 
Sawtell  and  on  all  other  poynts  with  the  towns  uplands  — 

2  In  Rock  medow  twelve  acres  mor  or  lesse  with  a  slip  of 
upland  Bounded  north  with  the  Lands  of  John  Barron  and 
on  all  other  poynts  with  the  towns  uplands  — 

3  At  cowpond  Brook  ten  acres  mor  or  lesse  Bounded 
northerly  and  westerly  with  a  Brook  and  the  medow  of  James 
fifisk  seni[or.]-  northerly  with  the  cow-pond  Brook  andeasterly 
with  the  medow  of  Serg4  Knop  westerly  with  his  own  Land 
and  on  all  other  poynts  with  the  towns  upland  — 


APPENDIX. 


167 


4  At  cowpond  Brook  two  acres  Bounded  east  northerly 
with  the  medow  of  Samuell  Davis  and  on  all  other  poynts 
with  the  towns  upland  and  medow. 

5  One  acre  at  Brown  Loaf  Playn  Bounded  westerly  with 
the  Brook  and  on  all  other  poynts  with  the  towns  uplands  — 

6  On  the  west  sid[e]  of  the  River  near  Sqoanacook 
River  two  acres  raor  or  lesse  Bounded  southerly  by  the  towns 
corhon  and  on  all  other  poynts  by  the  Lands  of  cap1  Parker 
as  the  marks  specifie  — 

compared  approued  and  confirmed  by  the  committe  accord¬ 
ing  to  the  order  of  the  town  as  Attest  — 

John  Morsse  cl[erk]  March  3.  i68f 

On  the  west  sid[e]  the  River  one  hundred  and  twenty 
acres  lyeing  both  sid[e]s  of  Nashua  Brook  Bounded  west 
southerly  [south-westerly  ?]  by  the  Lands  of  Nicholas  Cady 
and  on  all  other  poynts  on  the  towns  comon  as  the  mark 
trees  direct 

compared  aproued  and  confirmed  by  the  sellectmen  accord¬ 
ing  to  the  order  of  the  town  —  as  Attest 

John  Morss  cl*  no[v]  29  1684. 

the  Lands  of  ensigne  nathanill  Lawarance. 

8.  sixty  accors  more  or  Less  fforty  of  it  bought  of  the  town 
Bounded  round  with  the  towns  common  as  the  mark  trees 
diract  Lying  southerly  with  Longe  medow 

Compared  aproued  and  confirmed  by  the  commety  accord¬ 
ing  to  the  order  of  the  town  is  Atest 

John  Morss  ;  Cl  : 

March  :  3  ±  i68f 

A  tru  copy  out  of  the  town  Book  of  groton  of  sd  lands 
as  atast 

Joseph  Lakin 
town  dark  for  Groton. 


1 68 


APPENDIX. 


more  lands  of  ensign  nathanell  Lawranc 

1  fouerteen  accers  bee  it  more  or  leess  upland  &  Swammp 
&  boushey  medow  lyeing  ner  Spetchell  pond  boounded  part 
northerly  with  his  one  [own]  land  part  northe[r]ly  &  west[e]rly 
with  the  lands  of  william  Longly  decesed  ;  part  southerly  by 
ye  lands  of  Cap1  James  Parker  ;  part  e[a]ste[r]ly  by  the  lands 
of  Jonas  Prescot  and  Thomas  Tarball  &  on  all  other  points 
by  Spetchell  Pond  &  towns  Common  upland  :  ye  which  land 
was  layed  out  [to]  him  in  lue  [lieu]  of  his  ginerell  feeld  lots 
&  three  accers  of  medow  which  he  wanted  of  his  proposhan 
in  his  two  lots, 

2  nin[e]  accers  bee  it  more  or  leess  swamp  &  low  land 
with  so  much  medow  aginen  to  it  as  was  tacken  from  him 
at  his  medow  at  chelmsford  line  when  sd  line  was  Run  by 
the  aut’s  [authorities  ?]  bound  Round  with  the  towns  common 
Swamp  &  upland  as  the  marked  trees  derect  ;  this  land  lyes 
on  ye  e[a]st  sid  of  the  Cowpond  brook  aboue  thornas  williams 
pa[t]'ches  of  meedow  :  the  aboue  sd  nin[e]  accers  of  swamp  & 
Lowland  was  bought  of  william  Price  and  James  ffiske  Junr 
by  sd  lawranc  and  payed  for  beeing  neuer  layed  out  to  sd  Price 
&  ffiske. 

June  :  15th  1687.  Aproued  compared  &  confirmed  by  the 
select  men  acording  to  towne  ordr 

Atest  Josiah  Parkr. 

Town  clarke 


II. 

DEED  OF  SALE. 

JOSEPH  LAWRENCE  TO  NATHANIEL  LAWRENCE. 

This  Indenture  made  the  first  day  of  Aprill  Anno  Dom- 
mini :  1665  Betweene  Joseph  Lawrence  of  the  towne  of 
Grawton  in  the  County  of  Middlesex,  on  the  one  pte  and 
nathaniell  Lawrence  on  the  same  towne  and  county  on  the 
other  pte  wittnesseth  that  the  sd  Joseph  Lawrence  for  &  in 
consideration  of  fourteen  pounds,  starling  by  him  in  hand 


APPENDIX. 


169 


paid  by  the  sd  Nathaniell  Lawrence  at  the  sealings  and 
delivery  of  these  Psents  whereof  the  sd  Joseph  Lawrence 
doth  acknowledge  the  receipt  &  himself  therewith  fully  satis- 
fyed  &  payd  &  thereof  doth  fully  and  absolutely  exonerate 
acquitt  &  discharge  the  sd  Nathaniel  Lawrence:  his  heirs, 
executors  &  administrators  forever,  by  these  psents  Hath 
sold  given  granted  bargained,  &  doth  by  these  psents  give 
grant  sell  bargain  confirm  and  deliver,  unto  the  sd  Nathaniell 
Lawrence  his  heirs  and  assignes  forever,  all  his  whole  accom- 
madations  Lying  &  being  in  Grawton  aforesd :  ffirst  his 
house  Lot  with  the  additions  [of]  fififteene  acres  more  or 
Lesse  bounded  north  pfiy  by  Samuell  Woods  west  partly  by 
James  Ffisk,  &  on  all  other  points  with  the  towns  com¬ 
mons;  Two  acres  of  swamp  land  more  or  less,  bounded 
eastwardly  with  the  lands  of  James  Parker  northwardly  with 
the  meadow  of  John  Lawrence  &  on  all  other  points  with  the 
townscommon :  jly  five  acres  of  meadow  more  or  lesse 
lying  in  one  pcell  near  Uncatenasset  Hill :  bounded  on 
all  points  with  the  towns  common.  4ly  one  acre  of  meadow, 
lying  on  the  north  side  of  the  brooke  that  runs  by  the  side 
of  Brownloafe  plaine,  bounded  with  the  brooke  &  on  all 
[o]ther  points  with  the  towns  common,  5 ly  one  acre  &  three 
quarters  Lying  in  the  generall  ffeild  :  with  all  wayes  eas- 
ments  Lybertyes  and  priviledges  belonging  to  the  sd  Lands  : 
with  all  his  right  and  Interest  in  &  to  any  after  pportion  or 
pportions,  in  any  After  devision  or  devisions  whatsoever  that 
may  be  in  the  township  of  Grawton  afforesd :  And  moreover 
the  sd  Joseph  Lawrence  doth  her[e]by  Covenant  p[ro]mise 
&  grant  to  &  with  the  sd  Nathaniell  Lawrence  his  heirs  & 
assignes,  that  he  hath  ffull  power  &  Law  Authority  in  his 
owne  name,. to  bargaine,  sell,  &  convey  the  same  as  abovesd, 
&  that  it  shall  &  may  be  lawfull  to,  &  for  the  sd  Nathaniell 
Lawrence,  his  heirs,  &  assignes  forever  hereafter  peaceably, 
&  quietly,  to  have,  hold,  occupy,  &  cnioy  the  to  him  &  their 
use,  &  uses,  all,  &  singular,  the  aforesd  lands,  &  premisses 
with  all  &  every  of  their  appurtenances,  &  every  part  thereof, 


I/O 


APPENDIX. 


free  &  cleare,  &  by  him  the  sd  Joseph  Lawrence  his  heirs, 
executors  Administrators  or  assignes  from  tyme  to  tyme  & 
at  all  tymes  hereafter,  well  &  sufficiently  saved  &  kept, 
harmlesse,  of  &  from  all  former  bargaines  sailes  guifts  wills 
changes  suites  at  Law  &  incumbrances  whatsoever,  ariseing 
from  any  person  or  persons  whoesoever,  from  by  or  under 
him  the  sd  Joseph  Lawrence  or  his  heirs  executors  or 
administrators  ffor  ever  :  In  wittness  whereof  the  party 
abovesaid  hath  put  his  hand  and  seale  : 

Sealed  signed  &  delivered  in  the 
presence  of  us.  three  words  Interlined 
Ann  Long[le]y  ,  his  marke 

William  Longley  Joseph,  j  :  Lawrence  :  [seal.] 

S.  Scripture  S[r] 

This  deede  of  sale  was  acknowledged 
by  Joseph  Lawrence  [  ]  :  17  :  [  ] 

2  (  )  mo  1665  before  me 

Simon  Willard  assistant 


III. 

JOSEPH  LAWRENCE’S  BOND  TO  NATHANIEL 
LAWRENCE. 

Groton,  February  7,  i6f-$. 

Know  all  men  by  these  prfents,  yt  I  Joseph  Lawrence,  of 
the  Towne  of  Groton,  Middlesex,  NE :  planter,  being  by  the 
Last  will  &  Test  arm.  of  my  Father,  Jn°  Lawrence  deceased, 
made  joynt  Executor  &  Administrator  of  his  Estate  wth  my 
Bro :  Nathaniel  Lawrence;  Doe  acknowledge  that  there  is 
yet  remaining  in  my  hand  :  sixty  three  pounds  fourteen 
shillings  &  four  pence  of  the  sd  estate :  from  which  I  doe 
here,  by  these  presents  acquit  my  Bro.  Nath  :  Lawrence,  his 
heirs  &  assignes  from  being  lyable  to  Answer  for  that  estate  : 
&  for  his  further  security  I  doe  hereby ;  having  just  title  & 
full  power  soe  to  doe  ;  bind  over  to  Nath  :  Lawrence,  planter, 
of  the  above  sd  Town  of  Groton,  his  heirs  &  assignes  :  twenty 
and  one  acres  of  upland  lying  in  the  Necke,  neer  Wm  Martains 


APPENDIX. 


171 


bounded  south-west  by  James  Parker,  on  all  other  points  with 
the  Towne  comon  :  &  three  acres  of  Meadow  in  the  halfe 
moon  meadow:  bounded  south  by  James  Parker,  West  by 
Jim.  Allyn.  East  by  the  Smiths  Meadow,  west  [north  ?]  by  the 
Upland  :  also  five  acres  of  Meadow,  on  the  hawtree  brooke, 
lying  on  both  sides  of  the  brooke,  bounded  south  by  Ja: 
Parker,  &  the  hygh-way :  East  by  Jn°.  Nutting,  on  all  other 
points  by  the  brooke  &  town  Comon  :  alsoe,  thirteen  acres  of 
Upland  lying  upon  Gibbet  hill,  bounded  North  wth  Nath  : 
Lawrence,  west  by  James  Parker  &  south  :  east  with  the 
Towne  conion :  &  a  third  pt  of  three  acres  &  a  halfe  of  Up¬ 
land,  lying  in  the  generall  field  :  &  three  acres  &  a  3d  pt  of 
an  acre  of  meadow,  lying  in  the  flaggy  meadow  :  butting  north 
wth  S.  Willard  :  East  wth  Ja.  Parker,  on  all  other  points  with 
the  towne  Comon,  (&  all  Town  interest  therto  belonging  :) 
all  of  which  Land,  &  every  p[ar]cell,  by  vertue  of  this  obli¬ 
gation,  I  doe  acknowledge  to  stand  fully  &  firmly  engaged  to 
my  Br5.  Nath.  Lawrence  abovesd,  to  secure  him  frd  any 
damage,  or  law-suits,  whatsoever  wch  may  arise  to  him  frd 
any  [of]  my  fathers  heirs,  by  ocasion  of  the  defect  of  due 
paym1  of  the  abovesd.  sixty  three  pound  fourteen  shilling,  & 
four  pence,  notwithstanding  any  future  sale,  bargaine,  or 
alienation  of  the  sd  land,  wch  may  bee  made,  by  me  Joseph 
Lawrence  :  Provided  that  the  above  said  p[ar]cells  of  Land, 
all,  or  any  pticular  of  them,  bee  no  further  engaged,  then 
to  Answer  the  defects  of  the  pticular  paymts  of  the  above- 
said  sufne,  &  damages  arising  fro  such  defects,  &  that  upon 
a  prizall,  or  valuation :  &  to  the  confirmation  of  this  obliga¬ 
tion,  I,  the  sd  Joseph  Lawrence,  doe  set  to  my  hand  &  seale, 
ye  day  &  yeere  above  written  : 

Interlined  in  line:  18.  &  19. 

(&  all  Towne  interest  therto  belonging) 


before  the  signing: 
Signed,  sealed  &  delivered 
in  pr[e]sence  of 
Sam11.  Willard. 
Jonathan  ffisq. 


his  marke 


s  Joseph  Lawrence 

A 

[seal] 


172 


APPENDIX. 


IV. 

PELEG  LAWRENCE’S  DEED  TO  NATHANIEL  LAWRENCE. 

Groton.  Febr:  18,  i6f|; 

Know  all  men  by  these  p'sents,  that  I  Peleg  Lawrence,  of 
the  Towne  of  Groton  In  the  County  of  Middlesex,  N.E  :  plan¬ 
ter  :  For,  &  in  consideration  of  nine  pounds  starling,  by  him  in 
hand  paid,  by  bill  of  acquittance,  at  the  sealing  &  delivery  of 
these  p'sents,  wherof  I  hereby  doe  acknowledge  the  receipt 
&  myselfe  fully  satisfyed,  &  doe  absolutely  acquit  him,  his 
heires,  executors,  &  administrator  for  ever :  have  sold, 
given,  graunted,  aliened,  &  enfeoffed,  &  by  these  p'sents  doe 
give,  sell,  graunt,  alien  &  enfeoffe,  unto  Nathaniel  Lawrence 
of  the  sd  towne,  planter  :  a  pcell  of  upland  once  the  propriety 
of  Joseph  Lawrence,  &  by  me  of  him  purchased,  lying  upon 
Gibbet  hill,  being  thirteen  acres,  more  or  lesse,  bounded 
north  with  Nath  :  Lawrence,  west  &  south  wth  James  Park¬ 
er,  &  Eastward,  wth  the  Townes  Comon  :  To  have  and  to 
hold,  to  him,  his  heirs,  executor  , administrator,  &  assignes, 
for  ever:  Furthermore,  the  said  Peleg  Lawrence  dothe  here¬ 
by  coven1,  pmise,  &  graunt  to  &  wth  the  said  Nath  :  Law¬ 
rence,  his  heirs  and  assignes,  that  he  hath  full  power  & 
lawfull  authority  in  his  own  name,  to  bargain,  sell,  &  alienate 
the  abovesd  pcell  of  land,  &  y‘  hee  said  peleg  Lawrence,  will 
hold  the  same  land  free  &  cleere  to  the  sd  Nath  :  Lawrence, 
his  heirs  &  assigns  for  ever,  from  all  former  bargains,  sales, 
changes,  sutes  at  Law,  incumbrances,  &  just  molestations 
whatsoever,  arising  from  any  p[er]son,  or  p[er]ssons  whomsso- 
ever,  laying  just  claim  &  title  therto,  from,  by,  or  under  him 
the  sd  Peleg  Lawrence,  his  heirs  and  assignes  for  ever,  in 
witnesse  wherof  the  abovesd  Peleg  Laurence  hath  set  to  his 
hand  &  seale  : 

Signed,  sealed  &  delivered  peeleg  lawrence 

in  prsence  of : 

Sam.11  Willard  [seal] 

Jonatha  ffisq  This  deede  of  sale  was  acknowledged 
by  Peeleg  Lawrence  i6:th  of  ye 

9the  mo  [nth]  1670  before  me 
Simon  willard  asist[ant] 


APPENDIX. 


1 73 


V. 

JOHN  MORSE’S  DEED  TO  NATHANIEL  LAWRENCE. 

To  all  People  to  whom  these  presents  shall  come  or  anyway 
may  concerne  greeting:  Know  ye:  that  I  John  morsse 
Senior:  of  the  towne  of  Watertown  in  the  Countey  of 
Midelsex  in  new  england  for  and  in  consideration  of  four 
pound  to  me  in  hand  well  and  truely  payd  by  nathaniell 
Lawrance  Senior  of  Groten  in  the  Countey  of  Midelsex  in 
new  england  of  the  receit  wheirof  I  doe  together  with  Sarah 
my  wif  acknowledg  myselfe  by  these  presents  fully  satisfied 
and  payd  and  theirof  doe  fully  acquit  exonerate  and  discharg 
him  the  sayd  nathaniell  Lawrance  his  heires  excecutors  admin¬ 
istrators  and  assignes  for  euer  and  by  these  presents  have 
Granted  Bergaind  sold  and  confirmed  and  by  these  presents 
doe  fully  clearly  and  absolutly  Grant  bergaine  sell  alien  and 
confirm  unto  him  the  sayd  nath.  Lawrance  to  him  his  heires 
and  assignes  for  euer  one  persell  of  Land  scituate  and  beeing 
in  the  towne  of  Groten  the  same  conteyning  four  acres  bee 
it  mor  or  Lesse  Lyeing  upon  a  hill  comonly  called  by  the 
name  of  Indian  hill  adjoyning  to  his  own  Land  on  the  west 
north  with  the  Bay  Road  east  with  the  Land  of  thomas  smith 
south  with  the  ende  of  the  other  Lots  To  haue  and  to  hold 
the  abou  Granted  priuledges  and  Bergaind  premeses  and 
apurtances  to  the  sam  apertayning  or  in  any  wise  belonging 
to  him  the  sayd  nath  :  Lawrance  his  heires  and  assignes  for- 
euer  to  his  and  their  proper  use  and  behoaf  And  I  the  aboue 
named  John  morse  for  me  my  heires  excecutors  administrators 
and  assignes  doe  couenant  promis  and  Grant  to  and  with  the 
sayd  nath  Lawrance  his  heires  and  assignes  and  by  these 
presents  I  the  sd  John  morsse  hau  good  right  and  full  power 
and  Lawfull  authority  to  grant  bergaine  sell,  and  confirm 
the  abou  Granted  and  bergaind  premesis  to  him  the  sd  nath  : 
Lawrance  his  heires  and  assignes  foreuer  and  that  he  the  sd 
nath  Lawrance  his  heires  and  assignes  shall  and  may  at  all 
times  and  from  tim  to  tim  for  euer  hereafter  quietly  and 


174 


APPENDIX. 


peaceably  hau  hold  occupy  possesse  and  Injoy  the  sam  abou 
granted  and  Bergained  premesis  be  the  same  more  or  Lesse 
without  Let  deniall  or  Interruption  of  me  the  sd  John  morsse 
my  heires  excecuters  administrators  and  assignes  them  or  of 
any  of  them  or  of  any  other  person  or  persons  clayming 
and  hauing  any  right  title  or  Interest  theirin  by  from  or 
under  mee  or  by  any  other  Lawfull  wayes  or  means  whatso- 
euer  In  witness  herof  I  the  aboue  named  John  Morsse  haue 
set  to  my  hand  and  seall  in  the  yeare  of  our  Lord  one  thou¬ 
sand  six  hundred  eighty-four 


febr  io 

Signed  sealled  and 
diliuered  in  the 
presence  of  us 
Dauid  church, 
mary  [O]  Church 
her  mark. 


John  morffe  [seal] 

Sarah  morfe 
mark  A  [seal] 
Cambr.  15.  3.  1685. 

This  Deed  of  Sale  is  acknowledged  by 
Jn°  Moss  to  be  his  act  and  deed. 

Before  Tho  :  Danforth.  Depb  Gour. 


VI. 

THIS  INDENTER  made  between  Nathanaell  Laurence 
senr  of  the  Towne  of  Concord  in  the  County  of  Middx 
within  the  province  of  the  Massathusets  Bay  in  New  Eng¬ 
land  on  the  one  part,  and  Nathanaell  Lawrence  Junr  (son 
unto  sd  Nathan11  Laurence  sen1')  on  the  other  part,  Wittnesseth 
that  he  the  sayd  Nathan11  Laurence  Junr,  for  Valluable 
Causes  &  Good  Reasons  him  there  unto  moveing  which  are 
here  after  mentioned  and  are  done  &  fullfilled  by  Nathan11 
Laurence  senr  aforesd  Hath  (with  the  free  consent  of  Anna 
—  his  now  maryed  wife)  Given  granted  Bargained  exchainged 
Allyened  enfeoffed  conveyed  and  confirmed  and  by  these 
prsents  doth  freely  fully  Clearly  and  absolutely  Give  grant 
Bargain  Exchange  Alyen  enfeoffe  Convey  &  Confirme  unto 
him  the  sayd  Nathan11  Laurence  senr  his  father,  his  Heirs 
Executors  Adrmnistrators  &  Assignes  forever,  as  follows, 
Impri :  a  certain  Parcell  of  Land  containing  by  Estimation 


APPENDIX. 


175 


Twelve  Acres  be  the  same  more  or  Less,  within  the  Limits 
&  Bounds  of  the  Township  of  Grotton  in  sd  County  of  Middx 
(in  which  Towne  ye  sd  Nathan11  Laurence  Junr  now  liveth) 
which  Land  did  formerly  belong  to  James  ffske  senr,  Being 
Bounded  by  Joshua  Wheat  Northeasterly,  southerly  and  east¬ 
erly  partly  by  the  Lands  of  James  Cady,  &  partly  by  Corne- 
lious  Church,  and  westerly  upon  the  highway  Together  with 
the  houseing,  fenceing  &  all  the  Improvement  upon  it,  Also 
one  Acre  of  meadow  or  meadow  Land  within  the  Bounds  of 
Groton  aforesd,  be  the  same  more  or  less  Bounding  north 
and  west  upon  Captn  Prescote,  southerly  by  Thomas  ffiskes 
meadow,  easterly  Butting  upon  the  highway. 

To  have  and  to  hold  all  singuler  the  aboue  granted  &  Bar¬ 
gained  pr[e]mises  be  the  same  more  or  less  with  all  &  every 
the  privelidges  and  Appurtenances  thereunto  Appertaining 
or  in  any  wise  belonging  unto  him  the  said  Nathan11  Lau¬ 
rence  senr  his  Heirs  executors  Administrators  and  Assignes 
for  ever  unto  his  &  their  propper  use  Benefit  &  behoof.  IN 
CONSIDERATION  Wherof  he  sd  Nathan11  Laurence  senr 
with  the  free  consent  of  Sarah  his  wife.  —  HATH  given 
granted  Bargained  exchanged  Alyened  enfeoffed  Conveyed 
and  Confirmed,  and  by  these  presents  DOTH  fully  freely 
Clearly  and  Absolutely  give  grant  Bargaine  Exchange  Alyen 
enfeoff  Convey  &  Confirm  unto  him  the  sd  Nathan11  Lau¬ 
rence  Junr  his  son  &  with  him  his  Heirs  Executors  Adminis- 
trators  and  Assignes  forever  the  sever11  parcells  of  Land  & 
meadow  hereafter  expressed  all  within  the  Limits  &  Bounds 
of  the  Township  of  Groton  aforesd,  Imprimis  his  house-Lott 
containing  five  acres  be  the  same  more  or  less,  which  Lott 
doth  adjoin  unto  the  Lands  of  Captn  James  parker.  Also  a 
lott  of  Thirty  Acres  of  upland  at  a  place  known  by  the  Name 
of  Gibbit-hill  be  the  same  more  or  less.  Also  seven  acres  of 
upland  swampe  &  meadow  land  at  [a]  place  known  by  the 
name  of  provedence  meadows  with  an  Addition  of  about  three 
Acres  of  Land  by  sd  Nathan11  Laurence  senr  purchassed  of 
the  Towne  of  Groton  their  Committee  ;  all  these  Lastnamed 
four  parcells  of  Land  the  sd  Nathan11  Laurence  senr  doth 


APPENDIX. 


I  76 


convey  &  pass -over  to  his  sd  son  Nathan11  as  they  were 
granted  &  purchased,  and  entered  in  Groton  afore  sd  there 
Booke  of  Records  be  they  more  or  less.  TO  HAVE  and 
TO  HOLD  all  and  singular  the  last  a  bove  four  parcells  of 
Land  as  they  are  her[e]  Butted  &  Bounded  with  all  the 
Right[s]  members  privelidges  and  Appurtenances  there  unto 
Appertaining  or  in  any  wise  belonging  unto  him  the  sd 
Nathan11  Laurence  Junr  his  Heirs  executors  Administrator 
and  Assigns  unto  his  &  their  &  every  of  their  proper  use 
Benefit  and  behoof  forever.  And  it  is  to  be  understood  that 
what  these  four  Last  mentioned  parcells  of  Land  are  of  more 
value  then  the  first  mentioned  two  parcells,  he  ye  sd  Nathan11 
Laurence  senr  doth  freely  bestow  the  same  upon  the  afore 
sayd  Nathan11  Laurence  Junr  his  son.  And  the  partyes  con¬ 
cerned,  Viz.  Nathan11  Laurence  senr  &  Nathan11  Laurence 
Junr  do  both  covenant  promise  &  grant  for  them  selves  their 
heirs  executors  &  Administrators  with  each  other  their  Heirs 
Si  Assignes,  that  they  will  secure  and  deffend  all  what  they 
have  exchanged  Si  sold  to  each  other  in  this  Instrument  from 
any  Lawfull  claymes  y4  shall  be  made  by  any  person  or  per¬ 
sons  what  so  ever[,]  That  so  the  pr[e]mises  aboue  granted 
may  remain  Si  abide  Absolute  Si  Indefeazeble  Titles  of  In¬ 
heritance  in  ffee  simple  uto  each  other  their  heirs  executors 
Administrators  and  Assigns  forever  according  to  the  true 
meaning  of  this  Indenture 

IN  WITTNESS  where  of  he  the  sd  Nathanael  Laurence 
senr,  as  also  Sarah  his  wife.  And  Nathan11  Laurence  Junr 
and  Anna  his  wife  unto  this  their  Deed  Si  Act  they  do  all  put 
to  their  hands  and  seals  this  thirty  first  day  of  Octobr  in  the 
year  Anno  Dommi  one  thousand  sixteen  [sic']  hundred  ninty 
Si  five  In  the  seventh  year  of  his  majestyes  Reign  :  King 
william  the  third 
signed  sealed  and  Declared 


in  presence  of  us  — 
tthomas  Bateman 
elazar  batman 
Thomas  Browne  senr 


nathannil  Lawrance  [seal] 


her 

Sarah  X  Laurence  [seal] 
marke 


Nathan  ell  Lawrence  [seal] 
annah  Larrance  [seal] 


APPENDIX. 


177 


Nathaniel  Lawrance  of  concord.  Se. 

Sarah  Lawrance  his  wife 

nathaniel  Lawrance  Jun.  &  hannah  his  wife  personally 
apearing  before  me  acknowledged  this  instrument  to  be 
their  proper  act  &  deed. 


Octob.  31.  1695 


James  Minott 

Justice 


VII. 

NATHANIEL  LAWRENCE’S  LEASE  TO  JONATHAN  FOSKIT. 

This  indenture  of  Lees  made  and  Confirmed  this  twenty 
day  of  March  in  year  of  our  lord  1723  one  thousand  sauen 
houndread  and  twenty  three :  and  in  the  ninth  year  of  his 
maiestes  Raign  King  George :  of  great  brittain  by  and 
betwene  Nathaniel  Lawrrance  And  Johnnathan  foskit  booth 
of  Charlstown  in  the  County  of  midsx  within  his  maigestes 
prouence  of  ye  massachusets  bay  in  New  England  husband 
man  wittnesseth  that  ye  afore  sd.  Nathanil  Lawrance  for 
diners  good  Causes  and  Conceiderations  him  hereunto  moue- 
ing  but  more  Espeshely  in  Consideration  of  ye  Rents 
Couinants  and  Searuis  [service]  here  After  Mentioned  and 
Exspresed  to  be  by  ye  sd  Jonathan  foskit  performed  and  sat¬ 
isfied  doth  by  these  presents  demes  Leeas  leat  and  farm  leet 
unto  ye  said  Jonathan  foskit  his  hiers  Executors  Administra¬ 
tors  or  Assigns  A  certain  Massage  \Messuage\  or  Liueing  of 
lands  Containing  About  Eaightty  acres  be  it  more  or  less 
sittueate  lying  in  ye  bounds  of  Charlstown  afore  said  namly 
one  dwelling  house  ye  old  house  and  half  ye  barn  with  all  ye 
land  ye  said  Lawrance  hath  in  Charlstown  Afore-sd-  with 
all  the  proffits  preiuiledg[e]s  And  appourtainces  thereunto 
belonging  to  the  sole  use  of  ye  sd-  Jonathan  Foskit,  his. heirs 
and  Assigns  duering  the  term  of  three  full  years  affter  ye  date 
of  these  presents  for  and  in  Conceideration  wherof  the  sd 
Jonathan  foskit  doth  hereby  bind  and  oblige  himself  his 


1 78 


APPENDIX. 


heirs  Executors  and  Administrators  to  till  and  use  and 
occ[u]pye  all  ye  sd  Lands  by  plowing  planting  sowing  and  till¬ 
ing  all  the  brooken  up  Land  and  mo[w]ing  and  Raken  all  ye 
Meddow  Land  yt  yous  [used]  to  be  Mowed  and  ye  sd  foskit  is 
to  Cut  Split  and  Sharp  one  hundred  of  posts  and  hool  three 
hools  [make  three  holes]  in  Eatch  of  ye  sd  posts  and  ye  said 
foskit  is  to  Cut  and  Split  and  Sharpe  one  houndred  and  fifty 
rails  all  for  ye  sd-  Lawrance  on  ye  fore  Mentioned  land  and 
ye  sd  foskit  is  to  Cut  and  bring  to  ye  sd  Lawrances  hous  so 
much  handye  Cord  wood  as  ye  sd  Lawrance  or  his  wife  shall 
haue  ocation  to  burn  in  three  full  years  Affter  the  date  here 
of  and  ye  said  foskit  is  to  take  ye  whole  Care  of  ye  sd  Law¬ 
rances  Cattel  booth  summer  and  wintter  to  feet[c]h  up,  to 
turn  in  to  the  paster  to  house  and  to  Clean  and  to  meet  ye 
same  sofisciently  as  Cattel  should  be  lookt  affter  for  ye  whole 
term  of  three  years  from  ye  date  of  these  presents  aboue 
mentioned  and  ye  sd  foskit  is  to  Cart  all  ye  dung  into  ye  feeld 
that  is  in  ye  yeard  afore  ye  barn  before  winter  :  and  ye  sd 
Nathanil  Lawrrences  or  his  hiers  is  to  have  half  of  all  that 
is  Raised  on  all  ye  aboue  said  lands  for  Reant  and  ye  sd 
Larances  is  to  haue  sd  reents  yearly  and  ye  sd  Larances  is 
to  find  half  ye  seed  of  all  sorts  and  sd  foskit  is  to  find  ye 
other  half  of  ye  seed  and  ye  said  foskit  is  to  Cart  all  ye  sd 
Larances  half  of  hay  into  ye  barn  and  ye  said  Lawrances 
half  of  Corn  into  ye  hous  and  foskit  is  to  pay  ha[l]f  the  rats 
for  ye  sd  Lands  and  ye  sd  foskit  is  to  maintain  all  ye  fence 
upon  ye  aboue  sd  farm  and  sd  foskit  is  to  find  occen  and  Cart 
and  tacklen  to  do  ye  said  work  with  all  and  ye  said  foskit  is 
not  to  sell  any  wood  or  timber  of[f]  of  ye  places,  or  hay  with¬ 
out  ye  leue  of  ye  sd  Lawrances  ;  Not  with  standing  all  afore 
written  I  ye  sd  nathaniel  lawrances  dowe  hereby  receuve 
[reserve]  for  my  self  and  my  family  ye  use  and  improuement 
of  my  house  which  i  now  liue  in  and  my  Shop  and  all  sow 
ye  garden  before  ye  door  farther  more  we  ye  aboue  mentioned 
Nathaniel  Lawrance  and  Jonathan  foskit  do  hereby  bind  and 
oblige  our  selufs  [selves]  and  Each  of  our  hiers  Joyntly  and 


APPENDIX. 


179 


seauerly  [severally]  to  Echat  other  to  fullfill  all  the  Artickils 
and  seruis  afore  mentioned  And  Abide  by  the  premises  afore 
mentioned  as  witness  our  hands  And  seals. 


An[n]o  Domini  1723 


•ance 

[seal.] 


Signed  sealed 
and  delivered 
in  presents  of 


[seal.] 


VIII. 


THOMAS  RAND’S  DEED  TO  NATHANIEL  LAWRENCE. 

To  all  people  to  whome  these  presents  shall  come  greeting 
Know  YE  that  I  Thomas  rand  of  Charlstowne  in  the  County 
of  Midlesex  in  new  England  shoemakor  —  for  and  in  Consid¬ 
eration  of  thre  pound  ten  shilings  to  me  well  and  truly  paid 
that  is  to  say  wone  Cow  By  Estemation  worth  fifty  shillings 
and  twenty  shillings  in  Currant  mony  of  new  England  i  say 
to  be  paid  By  nathanell  Lauranc  Senr  of  Groton  in  the  County 
of  Midlesex  in  new  England  Planter  the  receite  wherof  i  doe 
By  these  presents  Acknowledg  and  therwith  to  be  fully 
satisfied  and  paid  and  therof  and  of  every  part  and  persell 
therof  doe  fully  Clearly  &  absolutly  aquit  &  discharg  the 
said  nathanell  Lawrenc  his  heirs  excecutors  &  administrator 
for  ever  by  these  presents  Have  granted  Bargained  &  Sold 
aliened  enfeofed  and  confirmed  and  By  these  presents  doe 
fully  &  absolutely  grant  Bargaine  &  sell  alien  enfeofe  and  Con- 
firme  unto  him  the  said  nathanell  Laurenc  one  acre  of  meadow 
&  ten  acres  of  upland  more  or  les  lying  &  Being  in  ye  towne 
of  Groton  situate  &  Bounded  northh  with  the  land  of  nathanell 
Laurenc  aforsd  west  with  the  highway  that  leads  to  long 
meadow  &  part  south  with  johnathan  sattell  &  southeast 
with  James  parker  senr  with  all  the  preueledges  to  the  same 
apertayning  or  in  any  wise  Belonging  To  have  and  to  hold 


i8o 


APPENDIX. 


the  aboue  granted  &  Bargained  premises  to  him  the  said 
nathanell  Laurenc  his  heires  and  Asignes  for  euer  to  his  and 
their  only  proper  use  and  Behoofe  and  I  the  Aboue  named 
Thomas  Rand  for  mee  my  heires  excecutors  &  Administra¬ 
tors  doe  couenant  promis  &  grant  to  &  with  him  the  said 
nathanell  Laurenc  his  heires  &  Asignes  By  these  presents ; 
that  I  the  said  Thomas  Rand  haue  good  right  full  power  & 
authority  to  Grant  Bargaine  &  Confirme  the  same  unto  him 
the  said  nathanell  Laurenc  his  heirs  &  Assignes  for  euer  ; 
and  that  he  the  said  nathanell  Laurenc  his  heires  &  Assignes 
shall  &  may  at  all  times  &  from  time  to  time  for  euer  here¬ 
after  haue  &  hold  ocupy  posess  &  injoy  the  Aboue  Granted 
&  Bargained  prmises  without  the  lett  denyall  or  Contradic¬ 
tion  of  me  the  said  Thomas  Rand  my  heires  executors  Ad¬ 
ministrators  or  Assignes  them  or  of  Any  of  them  or  of  Any 
other  person  or  persons  lawfully  claiming  &  hauing  any  right 
title  or  interest  therin  By  Any  way  or  meanes  whatsoeuer  in 
witnes  herof  I  the  aboue  named  Thomas  Rand  haue  put  to 
my  hand  &  Seall  this  fiftene  day  of  may  in  the  yeare  of  our 
Lord  God  one  thousand  six  hondred  eighty  eight  Signed 
Sealed  and  deliuered  in  presenc  of  us  Witneses 


Eleazer  phillips 
Timothy  Phillips 


Thomas  Rand  [seal] 


Sah 


Sarah  rand  [seal] 


Boston  24th  January  1688/9 

Thomas  Rand  and  Sarah  his  wife  personally  appearing 
before  me  one  of  the  Councill  of  this  his  Majestys  Territory 
and  Dominion  of  New  England  acknowledged  the  within 
written  Instrum  .  to  be  their  act  &  deed 


Jn°  Ufher. 


APPENDIX. 


1 8 1 


IX. 

RECORD  OF  JOHN  LAWRENCE  AND  HIS  WIFE  AND 
CHILDREN. 

this  is  a  tru  Ragster  of  all  ye  Childran  of  John  and  Anna 
Laurance  Born  unto  them  of  thar  owne  Bodies. 

John  Lawrance  fathar  of  thes  borne  in  ye 
yere  1667 

Anna  Lawrance  mother  of  thes  borne  in 
ye  yere  1670. 

John  Born  june  the  ninth  day  in  the  yeare  1689 
Thomas.  Born  in  desember  the  twenteth  3  day  in 
the  yeare  1691. 

Nathanill  Born  jenuarey  31  day  in  the 
yeare  1694 

William  Born  august  the  1 1  day  in  the 
yeare  1697. 

Samuell  Born  july  the  9th  day  in  the 
year  170(0] 

Anna  Born  octobar  the  29  day  in  the 
yeare  17(0] 2 

Johnathan  Born  february  the  i3enth 
day  in  the  year  i7[o]6. 

Sarah  Born  June  the  I9enth  day  in 
the  yeare  i7[o]8 

Beniman  Born  maye  28th  day  in  the 
yeare  1713 

Amos  Born  february  the  I3enth  day  in  the  yea[r]e  1716. 
John  was  37  yers  old  in  ye  yere  1726. 

Thomas  was  35  yers  old  in  ye  yere  1726 
nathanil  would  have  bin  33  in  ye  yere  1727. 
willam  was  29  in  ye  yere  1726. 
samuell  was  26  in  ye  yere  1726. 
anna  was  24  in  ye  yere  1726 


182 


APPENDIX. 


Jonathan  was  20  in  ye  yere  1726 
sary  was  18  in  ye  yere  1726. 
beniman  was  13  in  ye  yere  1726. 
Amos  was  10  in  ye  yere  1726.1 


X. 

ACQUITTANCE. 
SAREY  FARNSWORTH. 


Lexington.  September  29  -  1725. 

Receued  of  John  Lawrance,  one  of  the  execut[o]rs  unto 
Deacon  Lawrance  Late  of  Charlstown  in  the  County  of 
midelsex  in  new  ingland  desesed  the  sum  of  8  pounds  ten 
shillings  being  the  full  of  a  Legac[y]  giu[e]n  unto  me  in  the 
Last  will  and  Testament  of  ye  sd  Decon  Lawrance  of  which 
sumb  &  all  other  debts  du[e]s  &  sumbs  of  money  &  Demands 
what  so  euer  [on]  acounts  of  sd  Test[a]ment  I  do  hereby 
acquitt  &  discharg  ye  sd  execut[o]rs  thar  heirs  execut[o]rs  & 
adminrs  &  eueri  of  them  for  euer  by  thes  presanc  witness  my 
hand  this  29  day  of  septamber  a[n]no  Dom[in]i  on[e]  thou¬ 
sand  seuen  hundred  &  twenty  hue. 

mark  ^ 

marey  o  farn worth.  ! 

hur  | 

c  ,  T  Isaac  Farnsworth. 

Sarah  Lawrance.  I 


Sarah  farnworth 


XI. 

“A  REWARD  TO  SYMONS  [AND]  LOCK  AND  GIFT  TO 
MARY  TUTTLE.”2 

Woburn.  June  ye  19  1757. 

This  may  sartify  that  we  the  heirs  of  our  honoured  Mother 
who  not  Long  sence  Departed  this  Life  at  Lemester  at  our 
beloved  brother  Jemas  Symons  house. 

1  The  original  of  this  record  is  in  the  handwriting  of  John  Lawrence  of 
Lexington. 

2  See  Lawrence  Genealogy.  Edition  of  1869.  Family  No.  13. 


APPENDIX. 


1 83 

in  Consideration  of  there  Troble  in  her  sickness  and  while 
[she]  was  at  there  house  we  frely  give  our  part  of  the  bed 
and  beding  at  there  house  which  was  prised  at  ,£18  old  tener. 
.  .  .  18-0-0.  Lickwise  to  paying  the  dochter  and  funeral 
charges[,]  one  Cow  Reconed  at  ^15  old  tener  and  cash 
£4,  S2,  d6.  .  .  .  19-2-6.  which  we  Look  upon  to  be  there 
Just  Due  from  sd  Estate  and  Lickwise  we  Leve  a  note  Due 
sd  symons  to  sd  Estate  of  ^12  old  tener  in  the  hands  of  our 
brother  to  git  and  set  up  [a]  grave  stone  at  our  honoured 
mothers  grave[.]  in  testimony  hereof  we  have  set  our 
hands[.] 

Furthermore  we  agree  to  give  to  our  beloved  Sister  Lock 
;£io  old  tener  for  Nursing  and  taking  Care  of  our  honoured 
mother  in  hur  weekness[.]  also  we  a  Cording  to  our  hon¬ 
oured  mothers  desier  give  £10  old  tener  to  mary  Tuttell. 
John  Lawrance  Geo  Tilley 

Thomas  Ditson.  James  Simonds 

Samuial  Lawanace  mary  Tuttle. 

Isaac  Lawrance 


XII. 

DEED  OF  THE  HOMESTEAD  AT  CAMBRIDGE  FARMS. 

[Middlesex  Registry  of  Deeds,  fol.  18.  413.] 

To  all  People  before  whom  these  Prsents  shall  come  Greet¬ 
ing  and  Know  ye  that  I  William  Johnson  now  of  Cambridge 
in  the  County  Middx  In  the  Massachusets  Colony  in  new 
England  Carpanter  for  &  in  consideration  of  twenty  pounds 
to  me  well  &  truly  Paid  in  hand  by  John  Laurance  Weaver 
of  Groton  the  Receipt  whereof  I  do  by  these  p’sents  acknowl¬ 
edge  and  therewth  to  be  fully  satisfied  contented  and  paid  and 
of  every  part  and  parcell  thereof  Do  fully  Clearly  &  absolute¬ 
ly  acquitt  Exonarte  &  discharge  the  sd  John  Laurance  &  his 
heires  for  ever  by  these  presents  have  granted  bargained  & 
sold  &  therefore  Do  by  these  prsents  farther  give  grant  bar- 


184 


APPENDIX. 


gain  sell  alien  enfeofe  &  confirm  unto  John  Laruance  aforesd 
a  tract  of  Land  Containing  by  Estimation  thirty  eight  acres 
be  it  more  or  less  Scituate  Lying  or  being  within  the  bounds 
of  ye  Town  Of  Cambridge  at  a  place  Comonly  Called  worlds 
end  &  is  bounded  by  the  medow  of  William  Lock  &  SameI 
Lock  north  east  &  by  ye  land  of  aforesd  William  Johnson: 
Easte  &  south  west  by  the  Land  of  Henry  Goddin  norwest  & 
South  east  by  town  high  wayes  that  is  thirty  two  acres  of  it 
ye  other  six  acres  Lyeing  ye  next  raing  twoards  Billeraca  & 
is  bounded  northeast  by  a  Lott  that  was  John  Wintars  South¬ 
west  by  a  lott  of  Joseph  Russell  southeast  &  norwest  by  Town 
high  wayes  to  Have  and  to  Hold  the  two  parcels  of  Land  as 
they  arr  butted  &  bounded  together  with  all  ye  Rights  of 
trees  and  timber  Like  trees  wood  &  underwood  standing 
Lying  or  growing  or  that  ever  shall  grow  upon  ye  same  wth 
all  other  the  Rights  priviledges  &  appurtenances  thereunto  be¬ 
longing  or  in  any  wise  appertaining  to  him  ye  sd  John  Laru¬ 
ance  his  heires  Execrs  Admmrs  &  assignes  that  I  have  good 
Right  &  Law  full  authority  to  make  sale  of  ye  premesess  & 
that  ye  sd  John  Laruance  shall  or  may  at  all  times  &  from 
time  to  time  forever  hereafter  pecably  &  quietly  Have  Hold 
ocupie  possess  &  Injoy  ye  same  in  as  full  &  ample  manner  as 
I  myself  did  or  might  have  done  wthout  ye  Lawfull  Sute  Lett 
hindrance  molestation  Contridiction  Expultion  of  me  or  any 
from  by  or  under  me  waranting  ye  same  from  all  former  gifts 
grants  sales  Leases  mortgages  Jonteres  Dowress  or  titles  of 
Dowress  atachments  Judgments  or  Executions  formerly  had 
made  or  Done  granted  of  or  by  me  at  any  time  &  from  any 
person  or  persons  Claiming  or  haveing<my  Right  title  or 
Interest  therein  or  any  part  thereof  &  that  ye  above  bargained 
premises  may  Continue  &  Remain  a  good  true  absolute  secure 
title  of  Inheritance  in  fee  simple  unto  the  sd  John  Laruance 
&  his  heires  forever  I  the  sd  William  Johnson  as  also  mary 
my  now  married  wife  manefesting  Consentt  to  this  my  act  & 
deed  have  sett  to  our  hands  &  afixed  our  seales  this  twentieth 
day  of  June  anno  Domi  \_sic]  Sixten  hundred  ninty  &  three 


APPENDIX. 


185 


&  in  ye  fifth  year  of  their  majts  Raign  King  william  &  Queen 
mary  Defenders  of  the  faith  ouer  England  Scotland  france 
&  Ireland  —  William  Johnson  his  mark,  [seal.]  —  mary 
Johnson  her  mark,  [seal]  —  Signed  Sealed  &  Delivered  in 
ye  prsence  of  us  William  Johnson  Senr  of  Cambridge  farms 
Confessed  this  Instrument  to  be  his  proper  act  &  Deed  be¬ 
fore  me  february  11  -  1697. 

James  Minott  Justice. 


XIII. 

From  the  Middlesex  Registry  of  Probate  :  — 

AN  INVENTORY  OF  YE  ESTATE  OF  JNO  LAWRENCE  OF 
GROTON  DECEASED. 


lb  s  d 

Imp.  13  swine  9lbs  3s :  1  young  red  heifer,  3lb  12s  6d  12  15  6 
It.  1  young  brown  cow  3Ib  5s. 

1  black  cow  4lb  10s. 

It.  1  old  brown  cow  3lb  10s. 

1  great  black  ox  6lb 
It.  2  fat  oxen  nIb. 

2  blacke  working  oxen,  nlb. 

It.  1  pair  steeres  iolb  1  iron  pot  14s. 

&  pot  hookes 

It.  1  iron  pot  11s  &  pot  hooks. 

1  iron  kettle  2s 

It.  1  old  iron  pot,  Is  1  brass  pot  Is. 

tubs,  pails  &  trayes  9s. 

It.  more  tubs  &  wooden  platters  3s. 

1  fan,  5s,  1  halfe  bushel  2s  6d 
It.  2  tubs,  &  a  cieve,  Is  6d,  3  pecks,  malt  3s, 

3  sawes  &  a  reele  6s,  00  10  6 

It.  1  iron  crow  5s,  1  pair  tramels  4s, 

1  paire  tramels  Is  6d,  00  10  6 

It.  3  augurs,  3s,  1  broad  ax  &  4  Bobbins  Is, 

2  old  syths  Is, 


07  15  o 
09  10  o 
22  00  o 

10  14  o 
00  13  o 
00  11  o 
00  10  6 


00  05 


i86 


APPENDIX. 


It.  i  hammer  &  a  skellet  frame  Is, 

2  wedges  and  a  pair  of  beetle  rings,  4s; 

It.  3  axes,  5  s,  1  narrow  how  &  a  bolt,  Is, 

1  ax,  2  bolts  &  2  ring,  3s, 

It.  1  horse  shoo,  1  iron  S,  one  chissel,  Is, 

1  locke  &  key  Is, 

It.  1  pin  for  a  shackle  &  a  piece  of  lead,  Is, 
old  iron  2s,  3  pailes,  &  1  plate,  2s, 

It.  powder,  shot,  bullets,  bag,  &  mold,  3s  6d, 

1  pair  boots,  15s, 

It.  2  paire  of  shoos,  6s,  1  shackle  for  a  plow,  Is, 
pewter,  iIb,  Is, 

It.  r  dripping  pan,  6  spoons,  4s,  1  little  kettle  Is, 

2  trays,  1  inkhorne  Is, 

It.  1.  cushion  case  &  i  yrd  curtain  cloth,  5S>, 

1  looking  glass,  1  dram  cup,  2s  6d, 

It.  pewter,  16s,  3  earthern  platters,  2  s, 
a  paire  of  scales,  &  a  little  skellet,  2s  6d, 

It.  1  saddle  &  pillion,  ilb,  5s, 

1  pillion  cloath,  12s,  2  hats,  13s, 

It.  1  chaire  4s,  1  cushion  6d,  1  fether  bed, 

&  furniture :  9lb, 

It.  1  bed  &  bolster,  &  ye  accoutrements :  ilb,  4 
It.  1  bearing  blanket,  15s,  2  yrds  stuffe,  3s, 
i  serge  suit  &  coat  2lb,  13s, 

It.  cloath  suit  &  coat  2lb,  15s,  1  cloath  suit 
&  coat,  10s 

It.  1  chest,  8s,  1  chamber  pot:  2s-6d. 

1  cushion  &  a  paire  of  stockings  2s,  6d. 

It.  4  bushels  of  meale,  12s,  1  bushel  4  wheat,  7s  6d, 
It.  2  bushel  indian  corne,  6s,  sackes  15s, 
hempe  &  old  boots,  5s, 

It.  1  flaile  &  a  staffe,  Is,  2  curtain  rods,  2s, 

3  chaires,  4s, 

It.  1  pigeon  net,  ilb,  1  stone  jug  6d, 

1  Bible  6s,  1  box  a  knife  &  ring  3s, 


lb  s  d 
00  05  o 

00  09  o 

00  02  o 

00  05  o 

00  18  6 

01  08  o 

00  06  o 

00  07  6 

01  00  6 

02  10  o 

09  04  6 
01  04  o 

03  10  o 

03  05  o 

00  13  o 
00  19  6 

01  06  o 

00  07  o 


01  08  6 


APPENDIX. 


IS? 


It. 

2  cieves,  Is,  2  ioyn  stooles,  3s,  1  box,  3s 

lb  s 

d 

1  sheet,  &  2  pillowbeers  16s, 

01  03 

0 

It. 

1  paire  of  gloves,  Is,  6d,  sugar,  2s,  8d, 

1  frying  pan  3s, 

00  07 

2 

It. 

1  paire  of  sheets,  12s,  1  halfe  sheet,  2s, 

1  sheet  5s,  1  shirt,  4s, 

01  03 

0 

It. 

2  pillow  beers,  4s,  2  pillow  beers  3s, 

10  napkins  12s,  6d, 

00  19 

6 

It. 

2  napkins,  Is,  6d,  1  table  cloath  Is, 

3  pillow  beers  7s, 

00  09 

6 

It. 

Stockings  &  2  pillows  3s,  hobnails  8d, 

1  warming  pan,  4s, 

00  07 

8 

It. 

1  cradle  rug,  4s,  2  band,  &  2  neck-cloaths,  3s, 

2  chests  10s, 

00  17 

0 

It. 

1  bed  &  furniture,  ilb,  8s,  1  chain  5s, 

1  wheele-burrow,  3s, 

01  16 

0 

It. 

2  rings  &  staples  4s-6d,  1  plow  6s, 

1  grind  stone,  4s, 

00  14 

0 

103  00  10 

It. 

1  slead,  3s,  tubs,  9s,  barkes  &  tubs,  3s, 

lb  s 

d 

1  table  leaf  Is, 

00  16 

0 

It. 

1  cupboard,  6s,  1  chest  2s, 

1  trough  and  1  chissell  Is, 

00  09 

0 

It. 

2  files  6d,  1  fowling  piece  ilb, 

01  00 

6 

It. 

The  house,  barnes,  &  ten  acres  adjoyning 

running  fro  ye  street  to  the  hill  taking  an 

equall  breadthe  6o'b- 

60  00 

0 

It. 

4  acres  meadow  to  this.  8s 

00  08 

0 

The  other  10  acres  lying  at  the  side  of  this, 

3°lb 

30  00 

0 

It. 

the  residue  of  ye  accomodation,  S4!b- 

54  00 

0 

It. 

corne  of  all  sorts,  20lb- 

20  00 

0 

It.  hay  3lb-  1  sickle  Is.  hempe  9s. 

2  yokes  &  a  forke  5s. 

03  15 

0 

1 88 


APPENDIX. 


It. 

30  yrds  cloath  at  ye  weavers,  all  charges  paid 

lb  s 

d 

2lb,  4s- 

02  04 

0 

It. 

1  bush.  Is-  1  cart,  2  chains, 

&  1  rope,  2Ib  6s- 

02  07 

0 

174  19 

6 

103  00 

10 

Sume  totall : 

278  00 

4 

This  is  a  true  coppy  of  the  Inventory 

taken  by  us  : 

James  Parker. 

John  Nutting. 

John  Page. 

lb  s 

d 

It. 

Due  to  the  estate  upon  debt  fro  severall  ptyes  : 

—  02  03 

0 

It. 

some  old  iron  found  since  the  Inventory 

made  amounts  to 

00  03 

0 

Sworne  by  ye  Executrix  Susanna  Lauranc  &  Nathaniel 
8.  i.  1667.  Laurance  Executor  that  this  is  a  true 

Inventory  of  the  estate  of  the  said  John 
Laurance  &  that  if  any  more  appeare 
they  will  cause  it  to  be  added  hereto. 
Thomas  Danforth  —  R. 

XIV. 

From  the  Middlesex  Registry  of  Probate  (box  263,  No.  14; 
recorded  lib.  xvii.  p.  no)  :  — 

AN  IN  VENTORY  OF  DEA  :  CN  NETHANIEL  LAWRANCES 
ESTATE.  LATE  OF  CHARLESTOWN  FARMES  DECEASED. 

Lands. 

To  Houses  and  Lands  &  all  Buildings  on  sd  Lands 

s  d 
£690.  o.  o. 

To  one  Bible  and  sundry  other  Books  .  .  00.  18.  o. 

To  one  Brass  Kettle  &  one  small  Brass  Skillet  .  01  00  00 


APPENDIX. 

1 

89 

To  two  Puter  Basons  i  Quarte  poot  i  platter 

s 

d 

&  2  puter  Chamber  pots  .... 

£00 

1 1 

00 

To  I  frying  pan  I  Iron  Kettle  I  grid  Iron 

00 

09 

00 

To  2  Sives  i  Hetchell  i  Close  Broch 

00 

07 

00 

To  Wooden  Dishes  and  Trenchers  . 

00 

01 

00 

To  7  oald  Chares  and  one  Oald  Table 

00 

06 

00 

To  i  pare  of  beattle  and  Wedges  Iron  Crow 

and  a  Hone  ....... 

00 

14 

00 

To  one  Broad  axe  I  mortising  axe  i  adds 

4  oald  Choping  axes ...... 

01 

01 

00 

To  2  orgers  2  Chessels  i  shave  3  plaines  . 

00 

07 

00 

To  2  Sickles  2  Sithes  1  Tramel  and  a  Hammer, 

00 

07 

00 

To  1  Cowbell  a  Ring  and  Staple  3  oald  gripes 

1  oald  bore  iron  1  Ring  ..... 

00 

10 

00 

To  1  pare  of  Traces  and  a  whipple  tree  Chaine 

1  paire  of  Fetters  1  spade  Sum  oald  pieces  of 

Chaines  stock  &  bitt  ..... 

00 

18 

00 

To  1  oald  gun  and  1  oald  Sword  1  Casement 

Chessele  ....... 

00 

10 

00 

To  1  pare  of  Composes  whetstone  gouge  & 

Pieces  of  oald  Iron  ..... 

00 

03 

00 

To  1  Coller  1  half  Bushil  2  Chests 

00 

10 

00 

To  3  Dry  Casks  and  Churne  2  Baskets  one 

Riddle  and  Sum  oald  Tooles  &  odd  things  of 

ye  Same  Kinde  ...... 

00 

06 

00 

To  1  feather  Beecl  and  Bolster  &  2  pillows  2 

Coverlids  &  6  Blankets  ..... 

5 

00 

00 

To  1  oald  under  Bead  and  Boalster  of  flock 

and  under  bead  tickin  ..... 

01 

04 

00 

To  Sum  Oald  Lumber  of  Oald  Beadsteds  and 

Boxes  ........ 

00 

06 

00 

To  two  sheats  3  pillerbeeres  1  napken  1  meal 

Sack  &  headline  ...... 

01 

04 

00 

To  oald  Bead  Ticken  &  paire  of  Blankets  a 
Coller  a  half  barReele  a  small  Skillet  of  Brass 
&  a  Iron  Kettle  a  pare  of  Bellowss  a  Tongues 
and  Peale  &  a  Iron  Hook  a  sive  a  Oyl  gare  [?]  & 


APPENDIX. 


190 


a  Tine  Lampe  one  Linnen  sheet  a  table  Cloth 
and  one  pillow  1  wollen  whele  and  a  Knot  [?] 

Dish  a  pare  of  pincherses  and  a  gimblit  one  s  d 

Chare . £ 02  01  00 

To  1  Forke  and  2  Oald  Plows  spanshakel  and 

Pin . 02  02  06 

To  1  mare  and  Saddle . 04  00  00 


Sum  Totale 


Charls  Town  Farms. 

June  10th  1724 

A  true  In  Ventory  Errors  Excepted. 

Eben  Bruks 


moer  Things  on  the  John  Holdin 
other  side  prised 

bye  the  prisers  John  Willis 


.  £714  18  6 


The  sum  totall  of  ye  other  side  Broot  ouer 
and  here  fixed  ....... 

to  one  Boonde  of  six  pownds  .  .  .  . 

to  one  Boonde  moer  of  fowr  pownds  Ten 
shillings  ........ 

to  Twenty-nine  Booshels  of  indian  corne 

to  Eaight  Booshells  of  oates  . 

to  Three  Booshels  of  Beens  .... 

to  Three  Boshels  &  one  half  peack  of  Rye 
to  one  small  Timber  chaine  .... 

to  one  Leather  Belt  &  one  mony  case  & 
one  pockett  Knife  .... 

&  to  one  small  glue  bottle  &  one  oald 
linning  wheale. 


714  18  6 
06  00  00 

04  10  00 
05  01  06 
00  15  00 
00  11  00 
00  15  06 
00  16  00 


00  05  00 


totall  .  .  .  £733  12  06 


Note.  —  A  hatchel  or  hetchel  is  an  instrument  for  combing  flax. 
Trammel  signifies  an  iron  hook  for  hanging  kettles.  A  riddle  is  a 
coarse  sieve.  Pillowbeer ,  old  name  for  pillow-case.  A  colter  or  coulter 
is  the  cutting-iron  of  a  plough.  A  peal  ox  peel  is  a  kind  of  fire-shovel. 
Spanshackle  means  a  large  bolt. 


APPENDIX. 


I9I 


XV. 


From  the  Middlesex  Registry  of  Probate:  — 


AN  INVENTORY  OF  YE  ESTATE  OF  LIEUT.  AMOS 
LAURENCE  LATE  GROTON  DECED  —  VIZ  — 


Homestead  buildings  &  land 
Woodland  at  long  pond 
Pine  plain 
Pick  fork 
Small  do 
3  rakes 
Ox  yoke 
Do 

staple  and  ring 

3  draft  chanes 
Iron  bar 

Do 

Iron  shovel 
shackel  &  pin 
Brake 

slay  &  harness, 

6  Dry  casks 

4  hoes 
dung  fork 
Desk 
Clock 
foot  whele 

2  Sythes  &  snayhs 

feathers 

Corn. 

beans 

Rye 

side  saddle 
chest 

chest  of  draws 
Case  of  do 
Do.  Do. 
looking  glass 
6  chairs 
2  great  Do. 

8  old  Do. 


[£]4So  o 
45  “ 

9  - 
o  1 
o  o 

O  I 

o  6 
o  2 
o  2 
o  18 
o  12 
o  6 
o  4 
O  I 
O  2 

3  O 
O  3 
o  3 
o  3 
o  6 

3  o 
o  6 
o  6 
o  12 

4  10 
o  6 
1  10 
o  6 
o  1 
o  12 
1  10 
o  9 
o  4 
o  18 
O  3 
o  8 


o 

u 


8 

9 
6 
o 
o 
o 
o 
o 
o 
o 
o 
o 
o 
o 
o 
o 
o 
o 
o 

10 
o 
o 
o 
o 
o 
6 
o 
o 
o 
o 
o 
o 
o 


^525  14  3 


192 


APPENDIX. 


2  Tea  tables 

[£\o 

3 

9 

1  Table 

0 

12 

0 

candle  stand 

0 

1 

6 

Large  round  table 

0 

9 

0 

2  kitchen  tables 

0 

3 

0 

2  axes 

0 

9 

0 

2  old  do 

0 

2 

0 

small  plow 

0 

6 

0 

betle  rings 

0 

0 

9 

horse  traces 

0 

2 

0 

Cart. 

2 

8 

0 

harrow 

0 

18 

0 

stubble  plow 

0 

9 

9 

sled 

0 

3 

0 

26  cyder  barrels 

1 

6 

0 

2  keggs 

0 

0 

9 

soap  &  barrel 

0 

12 

0 

pork 

5 

0 

0 

3  beef  tubs 

0 

6 

0 

potatoes 

0 

6 

0 

saddle 

0 

12 

0 

bridle 

0 

6 

0 

pillion 

0 

3 

0 

whele 

0 

6 

0 

Do 

0 

3 

0 

looking  glass 

0 

6 

0 

earthen  plates 

0 

6 

0 

pewter  Do 

0 

9 

0 

Do  platters 

1 

4 

0 

Do  basons 

0 

3 

6 

pitchers 

0 

2 

0 

glases 

0 

3 

0 

cups  &  sau[c]ers 

0 

2 

0 

Tea  pots 

0 

0 

6 

bowles 

0 

2 

0 

Bottles 

0 

1 

0 

Cream  pots 

0 

3 

0 

Milk  pans 

0 

3 

0 

Jugs 

0 

2 

0 

puding  pans  &  boles 

0 

1 

0 

tea  spones 

0 

1 

0 

candle  sticks 

0 

4 

0 

shovel  &  tongs 

0 

3 

0 

And  Irons 

0 

12 

0 

£'9  15  9 


APPENDIX. 


193 


brass  kittle  [;£]o 

pots  o 

Dish  kittles  o 

Tea  Do.  o 

skillets  o 

grid  Iron  O 

Billows  o 

Coffee  pots  o 

Tin  pale  o 

pales  o 

flat  irons  o 

Knifes  &  forks  o 

tost  iron  o 

grate  o 

stilyards  O 

seive  o 

hammers  o 

half  bushel  &  measures  o 

washtubs  o 

cheese  tubs  &  keelers  o 

cheese  press  o 

baskets  o 

frying  pan  O 

shirts  o 

strait  bodied  coat  o 

great  coat  o 

small  clothes  o 

fustian  coat  o 

waistcoats  o 

hat  o 

shoes  o 

stockings  o 

Table  clothes  &  towels  o 

Ist  Bed  &  beding  3 

2  Do  Do  3 

3  Do  Do  3 

4  Do  Do  3 

5  Do  —  Do  —  2 

Oxen  1 2 

Cows  9 


15  o 
6  o 
3  o 

3  o 

4  o 
1  o 

1  6 

2  o 

1  o 

2  o 

3  o 

4  o 
I  o 
o  6 
3  o 

1  o 
o  9 

3  o 

2  o 

4  6 
2  o 

2  o 

1  o 
12  O 
12  O 

3  o 

4  6 

4  o 
4  6 

5  o 

2  7 
4  6 

19  6 
18  o 

6  o 
o  o 
o  o 
14  - 

o  o 
o  o 


^43  15  10 


i94 


APPENDIX. 


Sow  &  pig 

[£]2 

2, 

0 

2  hogs 

4 

0 

0 

3  Young  cattle  3  years  old 

7 

4 

0 

2  yearlings 

3 

0 

0 

Mair  &  colt 

9 

0 

0 

1  yearling 

1 

16 

0 

2  2  years  old 

4 

4 

0 

Large  plow 

0 

18 

0 

Reals 

0 

1 

0 

hand  saw 

0 

0 

9 

sickels 

0 

1 

0 

Tunnels 

0 

0 

8 

Canisters 

0 

1 

2 

Books 

0 

6 

8 

stove 

0 

3 

6 

warming  pan 

0 

3 

0 

Cheese  hoops 

0 

1 

6 

Churn 

0 

3 

6 

Boxes 

0 

0 

5 

Kitchel 

0 

3 

9 

Cards 

0 

1 

6 

Breadtrough 

0 

1 

6 

33 

13 

1 1 

43 

15 

10 

19 

15 

9 

525 

14 

3 

Equal  in  Dollars  to  — 

£622 

19 

>  9 

D  2076.72 

Joseph  Allen 

Joseph  Sawtell  Jr.  apprizers. 

Amos  Davis 

Groton  May  29th  1798 

Total  2076.72 

We  add  J  of  a  pew  below  10. 
half  of  a  pew  above  6.67 

a  Grind  stone  0.75 

D  2094.14 

Middlesex  ss  in  Probate  Court  at  Groton  17  octobr.  1798. 
Amos  Lawrance  the  admor  having  made  oath  to  the  Inven¬ 
tory  before  me  I  order  that  it  be  recorded. 

Oliver  Prescott.  J.  prob. 


APPENDIX. 


195 


XVI. 


From  the  Middlesex  Registry  of  Probate  :  — 


An  Inventory  of  the  real  estate  whereof  Samuel  Lawrence 
late  of  Groton  in  the  County  of  Middlesex,  Esq.  deceased 
died  siezed  and  possessed  taken  by  us  the  subscribers  on 
oath  pursuant  to  the  warrant  hereto  annexed.  Real  estate. 
Homested  Farm  of  the  deceased.  ....  $4000. 
About  ten  Acres  of  land  on  the  West  side  of  Nashua 
River  adjoining  thereto.  100. 

About  twenty  five  Acres  of  land  on  the  West  side 
of  said  River,  called  “Wrangling  Swamp.”  3°°* 

One  undivided  half  of  twenty  three  Acres  of  wood 
land  on  Squannacook  Plains  so  called  69. 

About  ten  Acres  of  Wood  Land  situated  on  the  east 
side  of  said  River  and  adjoining  the  same.  250. 

A  Pew  in  the  Groton  Meeting  House  being  No.  [  ]  70. 

A  Pew  in  Union  Meeting  House  100. 

A  Horse  stable  near  the  last  mentioned  Meeting  House  -  35. 
About  five  Acres  of  land  in  Long  Pond  Woods —  25. 


4949.00 


Personal  estate. 

In  North  Front  Room. 

Glass  Ware  5.90  Decanter  stands  .50 

Bread  &  cheese  Tray  1.50 —  7.90 

Crockery  &  China  Ware  9.  Candle  sticks  &  snuffer  Tray 
snuffer  Tray  2.00  11.00 

Fendor,  Fire  sett,  hooks  and  Hearth-brush  12. 

Soffa  6.  Card  Table  5.  23.00 

Carpet  &  floor  Cloath  22.  Dining  Table  &  Cloath  4.  26.00 

7  chairs  4.50  —  Looking  glass  4.50 —  9.00 

In  South  Front  Room. 

Carpet  5.00,  9  chairs  &  2  Cushions  5. 

Pembrook  Table  &  cover.  4  —  14.00 


196 


APPENDIX. 


Light  stand  .50,  Easy  chair  9.  Fire  sett  6. 

2  pr.  bellows  1.  Looking  glass  4.  $20.50 

Bed,  bedsted  sacking  and  Curtains  15.  Books  24 —  39.00 

Front  entry  carpets  —  stair  carpet  and  rods  6.  6.00 

In  North  Bed  Room. 

Bed  &  bedsted  5.  Night  Cabinet  6.  old  case  drawers  1. 
Woolen  Wheel  1.  13.00 

Back  North  chamber. 

Bed,  bedsted,  and  beding  &c.  13.00 


182.40 

Amt.  Brought  forward —  182.40 

In  Buttery  —  Wooden  Ware  1.50  Tin  Ware  3.25 
Table  .60  churn  2.00  6.75 

Earthern  Ware  3.50,  60  lbs  butter  &  Furkins  10. 

Hogs  Lard  1.50  15.00 

Lot  of  Glass  bottles  4.00,  i  barrel  of  Flour  3. 

Apple  sauce  &  cask  1.25  Candles  2.25  10.50 

In  Meal  Room  —  Tin  Kitchen  1.50  Coffee  Mill  1.75 
Logerhead  .25  Sieves  .25  3.75 

In  Small  Kitchen.  Tin  Ware  2.00  Pewter  1.50 
Brass  Wash  Dish  &  skimmers  1.25  4.75 

2  Warming  Pans  2.50  Crockery  Ware  1. 

Milk  Pans  1.25  Iron  Ware  18.50  23.25 

Copper  and  Brass  Kettles  13.  Cheese  Press  .50 

Clothes  Line  &  Pins  .50  14.00 

Water  Pails  and  Wash  Tubs  1.  4  chairs  1.50 

Table  .33,  2  pr  steel  yards  1.25  4.08 

choping  Knife  —  20  .20 


82.28 

In  Large  Kitchen.  Dish  covers  9.  18  sheets  6. 

19  Pillow  cases  2.37  1 7-37 

4  coarce  Towels  .40,  10  napkins  1.58 

1  doz.  Table  cloaths  6.  3  damask  table  cloaths  4.  11.98 

1  check  Table  Cloath  2  &  1  Flannel  ditto  .50 
4  Large  silver  spoons  8.  10.50 


APPENDIX. 


197 


10  Tea  Spoons  4.50  Sugar  Tongs  .50  Knife  Tray  & 

2  Knife  baskets  .50  $5-5° 

3  doz.  knives  &  forks  2  carving  knives  &  forks  and  steel  —  10.50 
5  Waiters  1.50,  2  brass  candle  sticks  &  snuffer  tray  1.50 

2  Tables  2.50  5.50 

Old  chest  .66,  5  old  chairs  1.25  Looking  Glass  .75 
Old  Desk  2.  4.66 

Old  clock  5.  Crockery  Ware  5.40,  2  Coolers  .25 
2  Coffee  &  2  Tea  Pots  4.00  14.65 

Sugar  and  Pail  3.  Tin  ware  .50  spice  Box  .33  3.83 

In  North  Front  Chamber — Carpet  and  Hearth  Rug  7. 

4  chairs  2.  9.00 

Bed,  Bedding,  Mattress,  Bedsted  &  Curtains  50. 

4  pr  sheets  10.  7  napkins  2.  62.00 

7  pr  pillow  cases  4.  Looking  Glass  2.  Toilette  1. 

Bureau  10.  17.00 

Wash  stand  Pitcher  &  Bowl  5.  1  Chamber  vessel  .25  5.25 


177-74 

In  South  Front  Chamber,  Carpet  1.  Wash  stand, 

Bowl  &  Pitcher  2.  Bureau  6.  9.00 

Looking  Glass  .75,  3  chairs  1.  1  pr  dogs  &  Tongs  .50 
Window  curtains  .75  3.00 

Bed,  bedding,  bedsted,  and  Mattress  .25,  Bed,  bedding 
bedsted  sacking  &  curtains  25  50.00 

2  chamber  vessels  .50  .50 

In  Kitchen  Chamber,  Bed  bedding  &  bedsted  9. 

2  Comforts  &  bedquilts  6.50  15.50 

Looking  Glass  .75  old  case  of  draws  2. 

Tool  stove  .50,  2  Woolen  Blankets  3.  6.25 

2  Chairs  1.00,  4  Bed  Quilts  5.50  6.50 

In  Back  South  Chamber,  Bed,  bedding  &  bedsted  8. 

1  Chair  .33  Old  Chest  .50  8.83 

In  the  Garrett,  2  bushels  of  beans  2. 

Warping  bars  &  Weavers  Reeds  3.  5.00 

In  Cellar.  26  Barrels  of  Cider  &  casks  full 


1 98 


APPENDIX. 


&  6  empty  casks  40.  Soal  Leather  2.  42.00 

Potatoes  supposed  to  be  175  bushels  35. 

1  bushel  of  onions  1.  Soap  and  casks  5  $41.00 

5  bushels  of  Carrots  1.25  Pork  &  meal  Tubs  18. 

Cheese  [150  lbs]  10  29.25 

216.83 

Carried  forward —  659.25 

Amt.  bro’t  forward  —  $659.25 

Double  Sleigh  &  Box  12.  3  old  saddles  &  bridle  4. 

old  Iron  .50  small  wagon  &  Harness  10.  26.50 

single  sleigh  &  Harness  7.  Grindstone  &  Frame  3. 

2  barls  of  vinegar  &  4  casks  6.  16.00 

2  Iron  Bars  4.25  Beetle  &  4  wedges  1.25 

dry  casks  1.25  Wood  saw  .50  6.25 

20  Cords  of  Woods  40.  2  Hammers  .50 

3  axes  1.25  Wheel  Barrow  1.50  43.25 

Lot  of  baskets  .50  Slug  wheel  cart  7. 

Narrow  Wheel  cart  16.  Large  Saw  2.50  26.00 

Mortice  Axe  and  ditching  knife  2.  Scythes  & 

sneaths  2.50,  8  rakes  &  1  Potatoe  rake  .75  6.25 

2  hoes  1.  4  Pitch  Forks  1.  Hay  hook  .25 

Winnowing  Mill  8.  Cider  Mill  shovel  .75  11.OO 

60  bushels  of  corn  45.  2  Flails  .50 

6  meal  bags  2.  30  Tons  of  Hay  $268  315-5° 

25  bushels  of  rye  20.  Stoves  5. 

4  bushels  of  meal  3.00  28.00 

one  horse  60.  x  pr  of  Oxen  80. 

1  pr  2  yrs  old  steers  47.  5  cows  90.  277.00 

1  year’g  heifer  10.  2  heifer  calves  1 1. 

6  sheep  18.  39-00 

2  Harrows  7.50,  4  Ploughs  25. 

4  Mud  &  Dung  Forks  3.  Spade  .75  36.25 

3  draft  chains  4.00,  2  pr  chain  traces  & 

Whippletree  chains  3.  2  collars  .50  7.50 


APPENDIX. 

199 

a  Lot  of  Yokes  and  Irons  3.50  2  ox  sleds  5. 
one  old  swine  15.  3  young  swine  15. 

one  chaise  and  Harness 

$38.50 
50  00 

$927.00 

Total  of  personal  estate 

Total  of  Real  estate 

$1586.25 

4949.00 

Decm.  22d.  1827. 

Abel  Farnsworth, 

Joseph  F.  Hall, 

Walter  Dickson  Jr. 

$6535-25 

XVII. 

DEED  OF  SALE  FROM  THE  STATE  OF  CONNECTICUT 
TO  DANIEL  LAWRENCE. 

From  the  first  volume  of  the  records  of  the  Proprietors  of 
Canaan,  Conn.  (p.  i) :  — 

Whereas  By  an  Act  of  ye  ginaral  Asembly  Holden  at 
New  haven  October  13,  1737,  entitled  an  act  for  ye  ordering 
and  directing  ye  sale  and  settlement  of  all  ye  townships  in 
ye  western  Lands ;  among  other  things  it  is  enacted  that 
ye  northwest  town  in  sd  Land  bounding  west  by  Housatanock 
River  shall  be  vandued  and  sold  at  ye  Court  House  in  New 
London  to  ye  hig[h]est  bid[d]ers  being  inhabitence  of  this 
colony  and  ye  first  Tu[e]sday  of  Jan[u]ary  next  at  one  of 
ye  clock  in  ye  afternoon  and  continue  by  Adjournments  till 
ye  [wjhole  be  sold  by  Sam’l  Lynd,  John  Griswold  and  John 
Richards  esquirs,  they  or  any  two  of  them  to  be  a  comity  in 
ye  name  of  ye  governor  and  company  to  sell  all  rights  to  the 
lands  and  give  Deads  [deeds]  ....  therefor :  to  all  people 
to  [w]home  these  presents  shall  come,  gre[e]ting  :  Know 
ye  that  we  Sam  Lynde,  John  Griswold  and  John  Richards 
by  vartue  of  ye  power  and  authority  to  us  granted  in  sd  act 
for  and  in  consideration  of  ye  sum  of  one  hundred  [and] 
fifty  foure  [pounds],  twelve  shillings  to  us  in  hand  paid, 


200 


APPENDIX. 


before  ye  Insealing  hear  of  by  Daniel  Lawrence  of  Plainfield 
in  ye  county  of  Windham  in  ye  colony  of  Con[n]e[cti]cut  ye 
Receipt  whereof  we  do  hereby  acknowledge  and  there  upon 
in  ye  name  of  ye  govener  and  company  of  ye  colony  afore¬ 
said  do  give,  grant,  Bargain,  sell,  enfeof,  convay  and  confirm 
unto  ye  sd  Daniel  Lawrence  his  Heirs  [and]  Assigns  for  ever, 
one  Right,  part,  share  or  alotment  in  ye  township  aforesaid, 
ye  same  being  devided  into  fifty  three  equal  shares  or  alot- 
ments,  exclusive  of  ye  Lands  granted  to  ye  Colidg  [college] 
and  all  former  grants  of  ye  general  asembly  that  are  survayed 
and  Recorded  in  ye  publick  Records  of  ye  colany  and  are 
l[y]ing  in  sd  town  with  ye  privilidges  and  appurtinances 
thereof,  theiron  or  th[e]ireunto  belonging ;  to  have  and  to 
hold  ye  sd  granted  and  bargined  premises  with  all  and  singular 
ye  appurt[e]nances  theriof  unto  ye  sd  Daniel  Lawrance,  his 
Heirs  and  Asigns  forever  to  his  and  their  own  sole  and 
proper  use,  benefit  and  beho[o]f,  and  we  ye  sd  Satn’l  Lynde, 
John  griswold  and  John  Richards'  do  covenant  to  and  with 
ye  sd  Daniel  Lawrence  his  Heirs  and  Asigns  in  man[n]er 
and  form  folowing,  that  is  to  say  that  at  and  untill  ye  ensealing 
of  these  presents,  we  by  vartue  of  ye  power  and  a[u]thority 
to  us  granted,  have  good  Right  to  sell  and  dispose  of  ye  sd 
granted  premises  in  maner  as  aforesd  and  that  ye  same  is 
and  shall  be  a  good  and  indefeasible  estat[e]  of  inheritance 
in  fee  simple  and  is  free  from  all  incombrences  whatsoever, 
all  ways  provided  and  these  presents  are  upon  this  condition, 
that  If  ye  sd  Daniel  Lawrence  shall  by  himself  or  his  Agent 
within  ye  space  of  two  full  years  nex[t]  after  the  date  hearof 
enter  upon  ye  sd  granted  premises,  build  and  finish  an  house 
theiron  not  less  than  eighteen  feets  square  and  seven  feets 
stud,  subdue,  clear  and  Fence  six  acres  of  sd  land  and 
continue  theiron  for  ye  space  of  three  successive  years, 
comincing  after  ye  two  years  aforesd  unless  prevented  by 
Death  or  inevitable  providence  and  do  and  perform  all  orders 
and  duties,  pay  all  taxes  that  shall  be  granted,  then  the 
aforesd  deed  shall  remain  in  full  force  and  vartue,  but  in 


APPENDIX. 


201 


defalt  or  neglect  in  either  or  all  of  these  sd  articles,  ye  same 
shall  be  void  and  of  none  effect,  in  witness  we  have  hear- 
unto  set  our  hands  and  seals  this  fo[u]rth  day  of  January, 
An[n]oque  domi  [Domini]  1738. 

Samuell  Lynde 
John  griswold 

Signed,  sealed  and  \  John  Richards 

delivered  in  presents 

of 

Tho.  prentis 
george  Richard 
N.  London. 

Jan[u]ary  ye  4.  1738. 


Sam’l  Lynde,  John  Griswold  and  John  Richards  parsnally 
Apered  and  Acknolid[g]ed  ye  above  Riten  instrement  to  be 
their  free  act  and  Deed, 
before  me 

Tho.  prentis 

Justis  peace. 


by  me 

David  Whitney 
proprietors  Clark. 


EPITAPHS  IN  THE  OLD  CEMETERY  AT  LEXINGTON. 

Here  Lyes  the  Body  of  Deacon  Nathaniel 
Lawrance,  formally  of  Groton.  Decd.  at 
Lexington  April  —  the  14th —  1724 
in  the  85th  Year  of  His  age. 

“Hear  Lies  Buried  ye  Body  of  Mr  John 
Lawrance  who  Departed  This  Life 
March  ye  12th  A.D.  1746-7. 

Age  79  years  7  M  &  1 1  Ds.” 


202 


APPENDIX. 


Here  lyes  Buried  ye  Body  of  Mrs 
Anna  Lawrance  wife  to  Mr  John  Law- 
rance  who  Died  Decembr  19th  1732 
in  ye  63rd  Year  of  Her  Age. 

[Cherub’s  head  and  wings.] 

[Hour  glass.] 

As  time  doth  fly,  our  death  draws  nigh. 

Here  lies  the  Body  of  Mr  Jonathan  Law¬ 
rence  who  departed  this  Life  March 
the  19^  1773  in  the  68Jh  year  of  his  Age. 

From  Death  arrest  no  age  is  free. 

My  fri\_e~\nds  prepare  to  follow  me. 

[Cherub’s  head  and  wings.] 

In  Memory  of  Mrs  Elizabeth  Lawrence, 
Relict  of  Mr  Jonathan  Lawrence,  who 
died  July  4th,  1790,  Aged  83  years. 

Here  Lies  ye  Body  of  Beniamin  Lawrance, 
Son  of  Mr  Jonathan  &  Mrs  Elizabeth  Law¬ 
rance  Who  Died  June  ye  19,  1753  Aged 
2  years  9  Menth. 

Here  Lies  ye  Body  of  Anna  Lawrance 
Daftr  of  Mr  Jonathan  &  Mrs  Elizabeth 
Lawrance  Who  Died  July  ye  18  1753 
Aged  7  years  4  months. 


LINCOLN  EPITAPHS. 

Memento  mori. 
[Cherub’s  head  and  wings.] 


Here  Lies  the  Body 
of  Mr  Nehemiah 
Abbo*  Who  departed 
this  Life  Febr  16th  1767 
In  the  76th  year  of 


And  also  the  Body 


of  Mrs  Sarah  Abbot 
wife  of  Mr  Nehemiah  Abbot 
who  departed  this  Life 
October  4th  1755  In 
the  63d  Year  of  her  age 


his  age. 


[Nehemiah  and  Sarah  Abbott  were  the  parents  of  Abigail 
Abbott,  who  married  Capt.  Amos  Lawrence  Nov.  7,  1749.] 


APPENDIX. 


203 


PLAINFIELD  EPITAPH. 

In  Memory  of  Mr  Joseph  Lawrence 
Who  Died  July  ye  nth  A.D.  1756. 

Aged  66  years. 

[A  son  of  Peleg,  and  grandson  of  John  Lawrence  of 
Wisset,  Eng.] 

EPITAPHS  FROM  THE  OLD  CEMETERY  AT  PUTNAM 
HEIGHTS  (NORTH  KILLINGLY),  CONN. 

In  memory  of  Lieut.  Elihu  Lawrence 
Who  died  Septr  10  A  D  1815  In  his  79th  year. 

Hail  glorious  Gospel  heavenly  light  whereby 
We  live  with  comfort  and  with  comfort  die ; 

And  when  beyond  this  gloomy  scene,  the  tomb 
A  life  of  endless  happiness  to  come. 

Sacred  to  the  memory  of  Mr  Asa  Lawrence 
Who  died  Oct.  19  1813  In  his  71st  year. 

Tis  but  a  few  whose  years  amount 
To  three  score  years  and  ten 
And  all  beyond  that  short  account 
Is  sorrow  toil  and  pain. 

In  Memory  of  Mrs  Lucy  Lawrence  wife  of 
Mr  Asa  Lawrence  who  died 
May  3rd-  1819  In  her  72nd  year. 

A  consort  kind  and  good  a  parent  dear 
To  all  obliging  and  to  all  sincere 
True  to  her  God  the  orphans  friend  &  Guide 
She  lived  beloved  and  lamented  died. 

In  memory  of  John  Lawrence 

who  died  Sept.  27  1832,  aged  76  years. 

My  friends  I  bid  you  all  adieu 
I  leave  you  in  good  care 
And  if  I  neaver  more  see  you 
Go  on  I  meet  you  thear. 


204 


APPENDIX. 


In  Memory  of  Mrs  Phebe  Lawrence 
wife  of  Dean  John  Lawrence,  who  died 
Aug  14  1813,  Aged  52  yrs.  5m. 

[AJffliction  sore  long  time  I  bore 
Physicians  skill  was  vain 
Till  .  .  .  easd  to  giv[e] 

.  .  .  [illegible]  .  .  .  my  .  .  . 


Sarah 

wife  of  Dea.  John  Lawrence  died  Dec  2 7  1846 
Aged  74. 

The  great,  the  good,  the  wise,  the  just, 

Must  all  in  time  be  turned  to  dust. 

Then  learn  to  quit  terrest[r]ial  ties, 

That  you  may  soar  above  the  skies, 

And  then  enjoy  the  blissful  favor 
Of  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord  and  Saviour. 

LITTLETON  EPITAPHS. 

Memento  mori. 

[Cherub’s  head  and  wings.] 

Erected  In  Memory  of  Deacon  Jonathan 
Lawrance  Who  departed  this  life  Decr  ye  8th 
1789  Aged  86  years  1  month  and  23  days. 

Here  Lies  Buried  The  Body  of  Mrs  Trypheuny 
Lawrance  Wife  of  Mr  Jonathan  Lawrance 
Who  Departed  this  life  August  ye  25  A.D. 

1752  In  y  42  year  of  Her  Age. 

Memento  moti. 

[Cherub’s  head  and  wings.] 

In  memory  of  CapL  David  Lawrance 
who  departed  this  life  Sept  ye  28th  A.D. 
1790  In  the  85th  year  of  his  age. 


APPENDIX. 


205 


Memento  mori. 

In  Memory  of  Mrs  Hannah  Lawrance 
(Relict  of  Cap4  David  Lawrance)  who 
departed  this  life  May  the  8th  1791 
In  the  67  year  of  her  age. 


PEPPERELL  EPITAPHS. 


[Cherub’s  head.] 

Here  lies  the  Body  of  Mr  Zachariah  Lawrence, 
who  departed  this  Life  Jan1^  18th  1754 
In  the  71st  year  of  his  age. 

[A  son  of  Enosh  Lawrence.] 


[Urn.] 

In  memory  of  Cap4.  James  &  Mrs  Mar}r  Lawrence 
Cap4.  Lawrence 
departed  this 
life  Jan’y  23d 
1800  in  the 
97th  Year  of 
his  age. 


Mrs  Lawrence 
departed  this 
life  Decr  21s4 
1799  in  the 
87th  Year  of 
her  age. 


[Capt.  James  Lawrence  was  a  son  of  Nathaniel,  and  grand¬ 
son  of  Enosh.] 


[Cherub’s  head  and  wings.] 

In  memory  of  Mrs  Sybil  Lawrence,  wife  of 
Cap!  Benj°  Lawrence,  who  deceased  Nov^J 
28th  1797  aged  52  Years  &  22  days. 


[Cherub’s  head.] 

In  Memory  of  Molley  Lawrence  DauE  of 
Lieu4  Benjamin  &  M”  Sibbel  Lawrence 
who  died  Sep4  ye  io4h  1790  aged  2  Years 
5  Months  &  10  days. 

[Lieut,  or  Capt.  Benjamin  Lawrence  was  a  son  of  Capt. 
James  Lawrence.] 


206 


APPENDIX. 


Memento  mori. 

[Cherub’s  head  and  wings.] 

Here  lies  the  Remains  of  Mr  Jeremiah  Law¬ 
rence  who  was  chosen  the  first  Deacon  of 
the  Church  in  this  Place  Janry  11th  1748 
and  departed  this  Life  Aug4  29th  1759 
In  the  47th  Year  of  his  Age. 

[A  son  of  Zechariah,  and  grandson  of  Enosh.] 

[Willow-tree  and  urn.] 

In  memory  of  Doct.  Ephraim  Lawrence 
Who  died  Dec.  23,  1809,  Aet.  75. 

[He  was  a  son  of  Deacon  Peleg  Lawrence.] 

[Urn.] 

Erected  in  Memory  of  Major  Thomas 
Lawrence  who  died  July  27,  1822.  Aet.  65. 

Ah  !  trust  not  to  your  fleeting  breath, 

Nor  call  your  time  your  own ; 

Around  you  see  the  Scythe  of  death 
is  mowing  thousands  down. 

And  you  who  hitherto  are  spared 
Must  shortly  yield  your  lives 
Your  wisdom  is  to  be  prepared 
Before  the  stroke  arrives. 

Thomas  S.  Lawrence  Died  July  10th 
1 8 1 1,  Aet.  28  yrs  &  6  mos. 

Rebecca  His  wife  Died  Feb.  12,  1853 
Aet.  71  yrs  &  9  mos. 

Tis  God  that  lifts  our  comforts  high 
or  sinks  them  in  the  grave  ; 

He  gives  and  blessed  be  his  name 
He  takes  but  what  he  gave 
Peace  all  our  angry  passions  then 
Let  each  rebellious  sigh 
Be  silent  at  his  sovereign  will 
And  every  murmur  die. 

[Thomas  S.  Lawrence  was  the  oldest  son  of  Major  Thomas 
Lawrence  of  Pepperell.] 


APPENDIX. 


207 


EPITAPHS  FROM  THE  LOWER  CEMETERY  IN  NORTH 
CANAAN,  CONN. 

In  Memory  of  Cap1  Daniel  Lawrence 
he  died  May  8th  1777  In  the  97th 
year  of  his  age. 

In  Memory  of  Cap  Daniel  Law¬ 
rence  Junr.,  he  died  Jan  27th  1790 
AE  87. 

In  Memory  of  Mrs  Rachel  wife 
to  Cap1  Daniel  Lawrence  Junr. 

She  died  Mar  3d  1767  AE  63. 

'  BIOGRAPHIES,  MEMOIRS,  AND  SERMONS  RELATING  TO 
DESCENDANTS  OF  MAJOR  SAMUEL  LAWRENCE. 

A  Sermon  on  the  Death  of  the  Hon.  Luther  Lawrence. 
By  Henry  A.  Miles.  Lowell,  1839. 

A  Sermon  commemorative  of  William  Lawrence,  Boston, 
1848  ;  and  A  Memoir  of  William  Lawrence,  1856.  By  the 
Rev.  S.  K.  Lothrop,  D.D. 

Extracts  from  the  Diary  and  Correspondence  of  the  late 
Amos  Lawrence,  with  a  brief  account  of  some  incidents  in 
his  life.  Edited  by  his  son,  William  R.  Lawrence,  M.D. 
Boston,  1855. 

A  Sermon  on  “  the  Moral  Power  of  Character,”  as  illus¬ 
trated  by  the  life  of  Amos  Lawrence.  By  the  Rev.  Dr 
Lothrop.  Boston,  1853. 

A  Discourse  commemorative  of  Amos  Lawrence.  By 
Mark  Hopkins,  D.D.  1853. 

“A  Tribute  to  a  Good  Man.”  Extract  from  a  sermon  on 
Amos  Lawrence  by  the  Rev.  F.  T.  Gray.  Boston,  1853. 

Memoir  of  the  Hon.  Abbott  Lawrence.  By  W.  H. 
Prescott.  1856. 


208 


APPENDIX. 


Memoir  of  Abbott  Lawrence.  By  N.  Appleton.  1856. 
Memoir  of  Abbott  Lawrence.  By  H.  A.  Hill.  1883. 

“  The  Stewardship  of  Wealth  as  illustrated  in  the  Lives  of 
Amos  and  Abbott  Lawrence.”  By  Frank  W.  Ballard.  1865. 

A  Sermon  commemorative  of  William  Richards  Lawrence, 
M.D.  By  the  Rev.  R.  H.  Howe.  Boston,  1885. 

The  Life  of  Amos  A.  Lawrence.  By  William  Lawrence. 
Boston,  1888. 


“  The  waves  of  Time  may  devastate  our  lives , 

The  frosts  of  age  may  check  our failing  breath  : 
They  shall  not  touch  the  spirit  that  survives 
Triumphant  over  doubt  and  pain  and  death." 


INDEX 


Abbott,  Abigail,  87,  88. 

Abbott,  Nehemiah,  64,  87,  88. 

Adams,  Dr.  Daniel,  26,  75. 

Adams,  Dr.  Joseph,  74-76. 

Adams  Family,  73. 

Adams,  Love,  73. 

Adams,  Lovey,  27.  _ 

Adams,  Patty,  30. 

Appendix,  163-208. 

BaBBIDGE,  Rev.  Dr.,  69. 

Bancroft,  Dr.,  93. 

Bartlett,  Widow,  8. 

Batchelder,  Susanna,  10. 

Batchelder,  William,  10. 

Bate,  Benjamin,  64. 

Bigelow,  Hon.  Timothy,  115. 

Biscoe,  John,  8. 

Blinn,  Mrs.  Charlotte,  83. 

Blood,  John  E.,  69. 

Bolton,  Mass.,  Records  of,  144. 
Boutwell,  Francis  M.,  5,  14,  30. 
Bowman,  Francis,  59. 

Bowman,  Sergeant  Joseph,  55. 
Bradstreet,  Gov.,  13. 

Brigham,  George  D.,  5. 

Brown,  Rev.  Joseph,  74. 

Bulkley,  Capt.  Joseph,  29. 

Burgoyne,  Gen.,  69,  106. 

Burlington,  Mass.,  Records  of,  143-144. 
Burrage,  John,  11. 

Bush,  John,  96. 


2  10 


INDEX. 


CADY,  Daniel,  94. 

Canaan,  Conn.,  Records  of,  14S-156. 

Carley,  Rachel,  60. 

Carley,  William,  59. 

Caunter,  Henry,  79. 

Chaplin,  Rev.  Daniel,  92,  106. 

Clark,  Moses,  31. 

Clarke,  Rev.  Jonas,  74. 

DlX,  Widow,  8. 

Dudley,  Gov.,  50,  51. 

EDDY,  Samuel  A.,  5. 

Epitaphs,  201-207. 

Farnsworth,  deacon  Isaac,  98. 

Farrar,  Rev.  Stephen,  74. 

Harwell,  Capt.  Henry,  96,  98,  100,  108. 

Fasset,  Joseph,  61. 

Fisk,  Dr.  Robert,  60. 

Fitch,  Zachariah,  96. 

Flemming,  John,  8. 

Gates,  major-gen.,  69. 

Gray,  David  B.,  31. 

Gray,  Mrs.  Martha,  6,  30,  31. 

Green,  Dr.  Joshua,  119. 

Green,  Mrs.  Joshua,  108. 

Green,  Hon.  Samuel  A.,  M.D.,  5,  14,  90,  97,  1 1 6. 
Greene,  Col.,  107. 

Groton,  Mass.,  Records  of,  119. 

FI  ALL,  Joseph  F.,  9. 

Hammond,  John,  8,  88. 

Hancock,  Rev.  Ebenezer,  84. 

Hancock,  Rev.  John,  of  Lexington,  45,  84. 
Hartwell,  Eliza  Jane,  31. 

Hawkins,  Timothy,  8. 

Heath,  Brig.-Gen.,  102,  103,  104,  105. 

Hildreth,  Stowe,  94. 

Hobart,  Rev.  Gershom,  53. 

Holden,  Capt.  J.,  95. 


Holden,  Stephen,  17. 
Howe,  Admiral,  103. 
Howe,  Lord,  103. 


INDEX. 


2  1 1 


JOHNSON,  William,  66. 

KlLLINGLY,  Conn.,  The  Lawrences  of,  145-148. 

LAKIN,  Capt.  Nathaniel,  105. 

Lawrence,  Abigail  Abbott,  105. 

Lawrence,  Hon.  Abbott,  109,  119. 

Lawrence,  Abbott,  of  Boston,  112,  114. 

Lawrence,  Dr.  Abel,  75,  77. 

Lawrence,  Capt.  Abel,  80. 

Lawrence,  Amory  A.,  50,  51. 

Lawrence,  Amos,  of  Boston,  13,  108,  119,  120. 
Lawrence,  Capt.  Amos,  40,  65,  85-94,  98,  99,  108,  127. 
Lawrence,  Lieut.  Amos,  jun.,  89,  94,  95,  96,  108. 
Lawrence,  Amos  A.,  51,  101. 

Lawrence,  Rev.  Arthur,  no. 

Lawrence,  Artemas,  41. 

Lawrence,  Capt.  Asa,  23,  98. 

Lawrence,  Capt.  Benjamin,  40. 

Lawrence,  Lieut.  Benjamin,  jun.,  41. 

Lawrence,  Benjamin,  son  of  John  of  Lexington,  84. 
Lawrence,  Benjamin  Franklin,  94. 

Lawrence,  Bezaleel,  of  Lexington,  65,  66,  82,  83. 
Lawrence,  Charles  M.,  31. 

Lawrence,  Deacon  Curtis,  67. 

Lawrence,  Capt.  Daniel,  42. 

Lawrence,  Daniel,  jun.,  42,  43,  45. 

Lawrence,  Daniel,  son  of  Peleg,  20. 

Lawrence,  Daniel  H.,  70. 

Lawrence,  David,  Capt.,  21,  25,  29,  30. 

Lawrence,  Deacon  David,  jun.,  26-28,  30. 

Lawrence,  David  Prescott,  32. 

Lawrence,  Edwin,  83. 

Lawrence,  Lieut.  Eleazer,  24,  31-34. 

Lawrence,  Major  Eleazer,  19-21,  29,  30,  31. 

Lawrence,  Elizabeth,  7,  10. 

Lawrence,  Enosh,  14,  38,  39. 

Lawrence,  Ensign  Enosh,  40. 

Lawrence,  Dr.  Ephraim,  22. 

Lawrence  Family  of  Cornwall,  Eng.,  77-79. 

Lawrence  Farm  in  Littleton,  29. 

Lawrence,  Francis  W.,  65,  no. 

Lawrence,  Frederick  J.,  41. 


INDEX. 


Lawrence,  George,  of  Littleton,  30. 

Lawrence,  Grace,  32. 

Lawrence,  Henry,  7. 

Lawrence,  Capt.  Isaac,  43,  44,  45-47. 

Lawrence,  Isaac,  jun.,  48. 

Lawrence,  Isaac,  son  of  John,  sen.,  49. 

Lawrence,  James,  of  Groton,  108,  109,  112,  1 1 5. 

Lawrence,  Capt.  James,  39. 

Lawrence,  James,  jun.,  of  Pepperell,  40. 

Lawrence,  Jeremiah,  41. 

Lawrence,  Dr.  J.  H.,  79. 

Lawrence,  John,  of  Wisset,  Eng.,  5,  7-10,  185. 

Lawrence,  John,  of  Lexington,  14,  15,  53-65,  181. 

Lawrence,  Rev.  John,  6,  84. 

Lawrence,  John,  jun.,  of  Charlestown,  10,  11. 

Lawrence,  John,  jun.,  of  Woburn,  66. 

Lawrence,  Lieut.  Jonathan,  son  of  John,  sen.,  14,  17,  49-51. 
Lawrence,  Jonathan,  son  of  Eleazer,  24. 

Lawrence,  Jonathan,  son  of  John  of  Lexington,  65,  81,  82,  127. 
Lawrence,  Jonathan,  jun.,  grandson  of  Major  Eleazer,  25. 
Lawrence,  Joseph,  of  Groton,  14-16. 

Lawrence,  Joseph,  son  of  Peleg,  18,  34-36. 

Lawrence,  Corporal  Joseph,  70. 

Lawrence,  Lovey,  74. 

Lawrence,  Luther,  94,  108,  119. 

Lawrence,  Lyman,  127. 

Lawrence,  Mary,  118. 

Lawrence,  Rev.  Micah,  84. 

Lawrence,  Moody,  41. 

Lawrence,  Ensign  Nathaniel,  n-16,  53,  93,  188. 

Lawrence,  Nathaniel,  son  of  Enosh,  39. 

Lawrence,  Nathaniel,  jun.,  of  Medford,  51,  52. 

Lawrence,  Nehemiah  89,  94,  96. 

Lawrence,  Peleg,  9,  14,  16,  17,  29,  30. 

Lawrence,  Deacon  Peleg,  21,  22. 

Lawrence,  Prescott,  112. 

Lawrence,  Major  Samuel,  40,  89,  94,  97-116,  118,  119. 
Lawrence,  Samuel,  of  Lexington,  62. 

Lawrence,  Samuel,  son  of  Peleg,  18. 

Lawrence,  Samuel,  son  of  Major  Eleazer,  24,  34. 

Lawrence,  Samuel,  of  Stockbridge,  Mass.,  108,  119. 

Lawrence,  Sumner  P.,  70. 

Lawrence,  Susanna  Parker,  116-119. 


INDEX. 


213 


Lawrence,  Thomas,  of  Groton,  67. 

Lawrence,  Capt.  Thomas,  68. 

Lawrence,  “Major”  Thomas,  of  Pepperell,  68. 
Lawrence,  Thomas,  of  Plainfield,  Conn.,  37,  38. 
Lawrence,  Col.  William,  40,  70-72,  86,  90. 
Lawrence,  William,  merchant,  of  Boston,  119. 
Lawrence,  Rev.  William,  of  Cambridge,  112. 
Lawrence,  Rev.  William,  of  Lincoln,  72,  73,  84,  88. 
Lawrence,  William  R.,  M.D.,  105,  no. 

Lawrence,  Zachariah,  jun.,  41. 

Lexington,  Mass.,  Records  of,  133-138. 

Lexington,  Mass.,  Old  Lawrence  Place  in,  65,  82. 
Lincoln,  Mass.,  Records  of,  139,  140. 

Littleton,  Mass.,  Records  of,  128-133. 

Livermore,  George,  107. 

Lock,  Samuel,  57,  59. 

Mace,  Abraham  c.,  65. 

McIntosh,  Col.  William,  106. 

Merriam,  Rebecca,  31. 

Minott,  Love,  74. 

Moors,  Capt.  Joseph,  102. 

Morse,  Sarah,  it,  15. 

Mosse,  John,  10. 

Mulliken,  Nathaniel,  30. 

Muzzey,  Amos,  83. 

Palfrey,  John  c.,  8. 

Palmer,  Benjamin,  35. 

Parker,  Capt.  James,  10,  13,  17. 

Parker,  Susanna,  105. 

Parker,  William,  116,  119. 

Peabody  Homestead  in  Groton,  93. 

Peabody,  William,  94,  108. 

Penticose,  John,  n. 

Perham,  John,  17. 

Pierce,  Samuel  B.,  65. 

Pitcairn,  Major,  100. 

Plainfield,  Conn.,  Records  of,  123,  126. 

Porter,  Rev.  E.  G.,  66. 

Powers,  Isaac,  29. 

Prescott,  Col.  James,  95,  97,  98. 

Prescott,  Jonas,  14,  17,  71. 


214 


INDEX. 


Prescott,  Capt.  Jonathan,  29. 

Prescott,  Oliver,  92,  97,  98. 

Prescott,  Col.  William,  70,  86,  96-97,  99,  1 01,  103,  111. 
Proctor,  George  F.,  19,  31. 


I\AWS ON,  Edward,  Secretary,  13. 
Read,  Capt.  William,  55. 

Reed,  Major  Benjamin,  127. 

Reed,  Hiram,  65. 

Reed,  Col.  Jonathan,  127. 

Reed,  Nathan,  66. 

Register,  Family,  157-162. 

Robbins,  Robert,  29. 

Robinson,  Col.,  106. 

Rockwood,  Lieut.  Elisha,  93. 

Rodney,  Admiral,  75. 

Rogers,  Rev.  Daniel,  23. 

Ryan,  Patrick,  65. 

Sanderson,  rev.  amasa,  31. 

Sartell,  Capt.  Josiah,  98. 

Sawtelle,  Hezekiah,  97. 

Sayles,  Mrs.  Polly,  82. 

Scripture,  Samuel,  19. 

Seaver,  Mrs.  Norman,  108. 

Sewall,  Henry,  jun.,  102. 

Shattuck,  Andrew,  94. 

Shirley,  Gov.,  32. 

Simonds,  Benjamin,  57. 

Simonds,  Joshua,  66. 

Staples,  Rev.  C.  A.,  64. 

Stone,  Deacon  Samuel,  59,  64,  66. 
Sullivan,  Judge,  92. 

Sullivan,  Gen.,  102,  106,  107. 

Sullivan,  Hon.  William,  108. 

TarBELL,  Capt.  Samuel,  108. 
Taylor,  David,  1 16. 

Tidd,  Joseph,  57. 

Trowbridge,  Rev.  Caleb,  64. 


INDEX. 


2I5 


WALDO,  Samuel,  97. 

Warren,  Gen.  Joseph,  ioo. 
Washington,  Gen.,  102,  103. 

Wayman,  Lieut.  Seth,  55. 
Westborough,  Mass.,  Records  of,  144. 
Whitcomb,  Jonathan,  94. 

Williams,  Joseph,  of  Plainfield,  17. 
Woburn,  Mass.,  Records  of,  141—143. 
Wolcott,  Edward  G.,  102. 

Woodbury,  Rev.  Samuel,  1 1 9. 

Woods,  Major  Henry,  70. 

Woods,  Samuel,  12. 

Wyman,  Francis,  66. 


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